Using the classical saddle-point threshold for field ionisation of a hydrogenic…

PHYSICS · Subjective · Fermi University Physics · Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics · One-electron atoms and the origins of atomic structure · Radiative transitions, external fields and collisions

Deriving the Spectrum, Ch Atoms in electric fields

Problem

Using the classical saddle-point threshold for field ionisation of a hydrogenic Rydberg state, Eion=3.21×108n4 V cm−1,\mathcal E_{\rm ion} = \frac{3.21\times10^{8}}{n^4}\,\mathrm{V\,cm^{-1}}, estimate the field needed to ionise a hydrogen atom in the n=40n=40 state.

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