Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 043002 (2003) - Nonclassical Paths in the Recurrence Spectrum of Diamagnetic Atoms

Nonclassical Paths in the Recurrence Spectrum of Diamagnetic Atoms

Brian E. Granger and Chris H. Greene

Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 043002 – Published 29 January 2003

Abstract

Using time-independent scattering matrices, we study how the effects of nonclassical paths on the recurrence spectra of diamagnetic atoms can be extracted from purely quantal calculations. This study reveals an intimate relationship between two types of nonclassical paths: exotic ghost orbits and diffractive orbits. This relationship proves to be a previously unrecognized reason for the success of semiclassical theories, such as closed-orbit theory, and permits a comprehensive reformulation of the semiclassical theory that elucidates its convergence properties.

Received 25 September 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.043002

©2003 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Brian E. Granger

ITAMP, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Chris H. Greene

JILA and the Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440

Comments & Replies

Comment on “Nonclassical Paths in the Recurrence Spectrum of Diamagnetic Atoms”

A. Matzkin

Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 269301 (2003)

Granger and Greene Reply:

B. E. Granger and C. H. Greene

Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 269302 (2003)

Comment on “Nonclassical Paths in the Recurrence Spectrum of Diamagnetic Atoms”

Jörg Main and Günter Wunner

Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 099301 (2004)

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Issue

Vol. 90, Iss. 4 — 31 January 2003

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