This paper begins with an examination of the revival structure and long-term evolution of Rydberg wave packets for hydrogen. We show that after the initial cycle of collapse and fractional or full revival, which occurs on the time scale ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}$ , a new sequence of revivals begins. We find that the structure of the new revivals is different from that of the fractional revivals. The new revivals are characterized by periodicities in the motion of the wave packet with periods that are fractions of the revival time scale ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}$ . These long-term periodicities result in the autocorrelation function at times greater than ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}$ having a self-similar resemblance to its structure for times less than ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}$ . The new sequence of revivals culminates with the formation of a single wave packet that more closely resembles the initial wave packet than does the full revival at time ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}$ , i.e., a superrevival forms. Explicit examples of the superrevival structure for both circular and radial wave packets are given. We then study wave packets in alkali-metal atoms, which are typically used in experiments. The behavior of these packets is affected by the presence of quantum defects that modify the hydrogenic revival time scales and periodicities. Their behavior can be treated analytically using supersymmetry-based quantum-defect theory. We illustrate our results for alkali-metal atoms with explicit examples of the revival structure for radial wave packets in rubidium.This paper begins with an examination of the revival structure and long-term evolution of Rydberg wave packets for hydrogen. We show that after the initial cycle of collapse and fractional or full revival, which occurs on the time scale ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}$, a new sequence of revivals begins. We find that the structure of the new revivals is different from that of the fractional revivals. The new revivals are characterized by periodicities in the motion of the wave packet with periods that are fractions of the revival time scale ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}$. These long-term periodicities result in the autocorrelation function at times greater than ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}$ having a self-similar resemblance to its structure for times less than ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}$. The new sequence of revivals culminates with the formation of a single wave packet that more closely resembles the initial wave packet than does the full revival at time ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}$, i.e., a superrevival forms. Explicit examples of the superrevival structure for both circular and radial wave packets are given. We then study wave packets in alkali-metal atoms, which are typically used in experiments. The behavior of these packets is affected by the presence of quantum defects that modify the hydrogenic revival time scales and periodicities. Their behavior can be treated analytically using supersymmetry-based quantum-defect theory. We illustrate our results for alkali-metal atoms with explicit examples of the revival structure for radial wave packets in rubidium.

arXiv:quant-ph/9506009Physical Review AJun 1, 199570 citations

Precise manipulation of Rydberg wave packets

B. Wyker, F. B. Dunning, Carlos O Reinhold +2 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 27, 20100 citations

Observation of the collapse and revival of a Rydberg electronic wave packet

John A. Yeazell, Mark Mallalieu, Carlos R. Stroud

We report an observation of the long-term evolution of a radially localized electronic wave packet formed by the coherent superposition of Rydberg states of atomic potassium. Initially, the wave packet can be described classically. Subsequent dephasing of the discrete states in the superposition leads to a loss of spatial localization so that the evolution can no longer be described classically. However, the wave packet revives at a later time. Theory and experiment show good agreement including an accurate measurement of the phase shift of the wave packet on revival.We report an observation of the long-term evolution of a radially localized electronic wave packet formed by the coherent superposition of Rydberg states of atomic potassium. Initially, the wave packet can be described classically. Subsequent dephasing of the discrete states in the superposition leads to a loss of spatial localization so that the evolution can no longer be described classically. However, the wave packet revives at a later time. Theory and experiment show good agreement including an accurate measurement of the phase shift of the wave packet on revival.

Physical Review LettersApr 23, 1990313 citations

Complete Measurement and Control of Rydberg Wave Packets

T. C. Weinacht, Jaewook Ahn, P. H. Bucksbaum

Springer series in chemical physicsJan 1, 19980 citations

Evolution and revival of the plane rotor's Rydberg wave packet in the external electric field

Wang De-Hua

The use of Rydberg wave packet analyzing the dynamics of quantum mechanical systems is a very important method for studying the relations between the classical mechanics and the quantum mechanics.The evo- lution and revival structure of the plane rotor's Rydberg wave packet in an external electric field is studied mainly in the present paper.The results show that the wave packet might be collapsed or resumed periodically if the exter- nal electric field is very weak,but in the strong electric field,the evolution and revival structure of the plane rotor's Rydberg wave packet are in correspondence with that of the harmonic oscillator.The use of Rydberg wave packet analyzing the dynamics of quantum mechanical systems is a very important method for studying the relations between the classical mechanics and the quantum mechanics.The evo- lution and revival structure of the plane rotor's Rydberg wave packet in an external electric field is studied mainly in the present paper.The results show that the wave packet might be collapsed or resumed periodically if the exter- nal electric field is very weak,but in the strong electric field,the evolution and revival structure of the plane rotor's Rydberg wave packet are in correspondence with that of the harmonic oscillator.

College PhysicsJan 1, 20080 citations

{\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}

, a new sequence of revivals begins. We find that the structure of the new revivals is different from that of the fractional revivals. The new revivals are characterized by periodicities in the motion of the wave packet with periods that are fractions of the revival time scale

{\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}

. These long-term periodicities result in the autocorrelation function at times greater than

{\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}

having a self-similar resemblance to its structure for times less than

{\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}

. The new sequence of revivals culminates with the formation of a single wave packet that more closely resembles the initial wave packet than does the full revival at time

{\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{rev}}

, i.e., a superrevival forms. Explicit examples of the superrevival structure for both circular and radial wave packets are given. We then study wave packets in alkali-metal atoms, which are typically used in experiments. The behavior of these packets is affected by the presence of quantum defects that modify the hydrogenic revival time scales and periodicities. Their behavior can be treated analytically using supersymmetry-based quantum-defect theory. We illustrate our results for alkali-metal atoms with explicit examples of the revival structure for radial wave packets in rubidium.