CLASSICAL STUDY OF COLLISIONS OF RYDBERG ATOMS WITH POLAR MOLECULES

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dc.creatorPRESTON, STEVEN CRAIG
dc.date.accessioned2007-05-09T19:36:25Z
dc.date.available2007-05-09T19:36:25Z
dc.date.issued1984
dc.description.abstractCross sections for the collision of a highly excited atom with a polar molecule have been calculated using a classical trajectory Monte-Carlo approach. Many features of experiment have been observed and explained. For example, the tendency for the Rydberg atom to be further excited can be explained by the likelihood for multiple electron-molecule encounters. Furthermore, the probability of multiple encounters also casts doubts on the validity of the free electron model, a commonly used approach in Rydberg collision problems. Quantitatively, the state changing cross sections calculated in this study are typically smaller than experimental measurements. This may be due to the failure of classical mechanics to quantize the possible states of a physical system, especially since the total cross section agrees with experiment. It is thus hoped that a proposed semi-classical procedure, in which the molecule is treated quantum mechanically, will produce results in better agreement with experiment.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.callnoThesis Phys. 1984 Preston
dc.identifier.citationPRESTON, STEVEN CRAIG. "CLASSICAL STUDY OF COLLISIONS OF RYDBERG ATOMS WITH POLAR MOLECULES." (1984) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/15853">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/15853</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/15853
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectAtomic physics
dc.titleCLASSICAL STUDY OF COLLISIONS OF RYDBERG ATOMS WITH POLAR MOLECULES
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentPhysics
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy
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