Wave-packet dynamics and quantum beats

B. M. Garraway and K.-A. Suominen
Phys. Rev. A 58, 440 – Published 1 July 1998
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

Quantum beats provide a useful tool in spectroscopy for the evaluation of fixed energy level differences. However, in wave-packet dynamics the motion of wave packets about molecular energy surfaces provides time-dependent energy differences. Thus a superposition of wave packets on two excited energy states can yield quantum beats with a time-dependent frequency that depends on the molecular dynamics. We explore this problem with examples and simple models of wave-packet quantum beats. The effects of separating wave packets, and wave packet dispersion, are of especial interest. Calculations are performed using a numerical integration of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation with three energy states and time-dependent couplings. The effects of spontaneous emission are determined by using a fully quantum mechanical Monte Carlo wave-function method.

  • Received 1 May 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.58.440

©1998 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

B. M. Garraway

  • Optics Section, The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
  • SCOAP & Centre for Theoretical Physics, CPES, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom

K.-A. Suominen

  • Helsinki Institute of Physics, PL 9, FIN-00014 Helsingin Yliopisto, Finland
  • Theoretical Physics Division, Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, PL 9, FIN-00014 Helsingin Yliopisto, Finland

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 58, Iss. 1 — July 1998

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review A

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×