Relativistic and Radiative Energy Shifts for Rydberg States

Abstract

We investigate relativistic and quantum electrodynamic effects for highly-excited bound states in hydrogen-like systems (Rydberg states). In particular, hydrogenic one-loop Bethe logarithms are calculated for all circular states (l = n - 1) in the range 20 ≤ n ≤ 60 and successfully compared to an existing asymptotic expansion for large principal quantum number n. We provide accurate expansions of the Bethe logarithm for large values of n, for S, P and circular Rydberg states. These threeexpansions are expected to give any Bethe logarithm for principal quantum number n > 20 to an accuracy of five to seven decimal digits, within the specified manifolds of atomic states. Within the numerical accuracy, the results constitute unified, general formulae for quantum electrodynamic corrections whose validity is not restricted to asingle atomic state. The results are relevant for accurate predictions of radiative shifts of Rydberg states and for the description of the recently investigated laser-dressed Lamb shift, which is observable in astrong coherent-wave light field.

Department(s)

Physics

Keywords and Phrases

Carrier Concentration; Computer Simulation; Fluorescence; Light Sources; Microwaves; Probability; Quantum Theory; Laser Fields; Quantum Numbers; Radiative Energy; Rydberg States; Electrodynamics

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0953-4075

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2005 IOP Publishing, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2005

Link to Full Text

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