RUI: An Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Background Gas Collisions on the Classical Orbits of Rydberg Electrons

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。20世纪20年代，量子力学取代了经典的“太阳系”原子模型，即电子沿着简单的圆形和椭圆形轨道绕原子核运动。量子力学是一个比其前身更强大的模型，因为它更准确地预测了原子如何与光、电子和其他原子相互作用。但在原子中的电子处于高度激发态的条件下，即里德伯态，电子的行为和运动可以用经典的形状轨道来精确描述，比如围绕恒星运行的行星。激光技术的改进使物理学家能够轻松可靠地产生这些里德伯态。通过激光测量，可以重建单个原子内电子的路径，这为研究原子相互作用开辟了一种全新的方法。这项研究将测量由于与附近原子的相互作用而引起的经典电子轨道的扭曲。它还将阐明量子力学、经典轨道或称为闭合轨道理论的混合“半经典”理论如何很好地描述电子行为。实验结果将有助于发展和证实一种改进的“半经典”理论，该理论使我们能够预测处于里德伯态的电子与其他原子碰撞时的反应。这项工作将为一所女性人数众多的本科院校的学生提供实践研究经验。它对于说明量子力学和对应原理的概念特别重要。该项目允许本科生直接参与实验的构建、数据采集、理论解释和在会议上的工作展示。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). In the 1920's quantum mechanics replaced the classic "solar-system" model of the atom where electrons follow simple circular and elliptical paths around the nucleus. Quantum mechanics is a more powerful model than its predecessors in that it more accurately predicts how atoms interact with light, electrons, and other atoms. But under conditions where the electron in an atom is in a highly excited state, known as a Rydberg state, the behavior and motion of the electron can be accurately described in terms of classical shaped orbits, such as planets around a star. Improvements in laser technology have enabled physicists to produce these Rydberg states easily and reliably. By making measurements with lasers the path of the electron within a single atom can be reconstructed and this opens up a brand new method of investigating atomic interactions. This research will measure the distortions of classical electron orbits due to the interactions with nearby atoms. It will also shed light on how well the electron behavior is described by either quantum mechanics, classical orbits, or a hybrid "semi-classical" theory known as closed orbit theory. The experimental results will help to develop and confirm a modified "semi-classical" theory that allows us to predict the response of an electron in a Rydberg state to collisions with other atoms.The work will provide hands-on research experiences for students at an undergraduate institution which has a large female population. It will be particularly important for illustrating the concepts of quantum mechanics and the correspondence principle. The project allows direct involvement of undergradute students in the construction of experiments, data acquisition, theoretical interpretation, and presentation of the work at conferences.