1999/12/13 by J. Bromage, C. R. Stroud · 1 citation
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Terahertz technology and applications #Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies #Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications
paper · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.83.4963
openalex publication_date 1999/12/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26
We have prepared an atomic electron in a three-dimensionally localized wave packet that travels along a highly eccentric orbit between the nucleus and a turning point approximately 1000 \AA away. State preparation consisted of two distinct steps. First the electron wave function was localized to the desired orbit by exciting a stationary extreme Stark state from the n\phantom\rule0ex0ex=\phantom\rule0ex0ex30 manifold of a sodium atom in a dc electric field. Then the dynamic wave packet was formed by applying a terahertz electromagnetic half-cycle pulse polarized along the direction of the dc field. The localized state is an ideal starting point for further quantum control proceeding along classical orbits.