Adjacency Graphs and Long-Range Interactions of Atoms in Quasi-Degenerate States: Applied Graph Theory
Abstract
We analyze, in general terms, the evolution of energy levels in quantum mechanics, as a function of a coupling parameter, and demonstrate the possibility of level crossings in systems described by irreducible matrices. In long-range interactions, the coupling parameter is the interatomic distance. We demonstrate the utility of adjacency matrices and adjacency graphs in the analysis of "hidden" symmetries of a problem; these allow us to break reducible matrices into irreducible subcomponents. A possible breakdown of the no-crossing theorem for higher-dimensional irreducible matrices is indicated, and an application to the 2S-2S interaction in hydrogen is briefly described. The analysis of interatomic interactions in this system is important for further progress on optical measurements of the 2S hyperfine splitting.
Recommended Citation
C. M. Adhikari et al., "Adjacency Graphs and Long-Range Interactions of Atoms in Quasi-Degenerate States: Applied Graph Theory," Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics, vol. 123, no. 1, Springer Verlag, Jan 2017.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-016-6587-5
Department(s)
Physics
Keywords and Phrases
Optical data processing; Quantum theory, Adjacency matrices; Coupling parameters; Hyperfine splittings; Inter-atomic distances; Interatomic interactions; Irreducible matrices; Long range interactions; Optical measurement, Graph theory
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0946-2171; 1432-0649
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2017 Springer Verlag, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2017
Comments
The authors acknowledge support from the National Science Foundation (Grant PHY-1403973).