Microwave Ionization of Hydrogen Atoms: Experiment versus Classical Dynamics

Abstract

Ionization of hydrogen atoms with principal quantum number $n=32\mathrm{}$, 40, and 51-74 by a 9.92-GHz electric field $\mathrm{F}\mathrm{}\left(t\right)=\hat{z}{F}_{0}cos\omega t$ was studied with a superimposed static electric field ${\overline{F}}_s=0, 2, 5, \mathrm{and} 8$ V/cm. The measured field strengths $F_0\mathrm{}(10\%)\mathrm{}$ at which 10% of the atoms were ionized are in excellent agreement with classical calculations in both one and two spatial dimensions. Covering finer detail as well as gross structure of the $n$ dependence of $F_0\mathrm{}(10\%)\mathrm{}$, the agreement supports the application of classical dynamics to the analysis of this strongly perturbed quantum system.