Stochastic variational approach to interaction of atoms and strong external fields

Abstract

The Stochastic Variational Method using Explicitly Correlated Gaussians was employed for calculating the energies of systems consisting of few bosons, with gravitational, coulombic, soft-core Gaussian interactions and harmonic oscillator confinement. The SVM was then used for studying the stability of three-electron systems in very strong magnetic field conditions. Special attention was given to the stability of Helium and the possibility of formation of stable negative ions in these conditions, in a non-relativistic framework. The obtained results predict a stable system, in agreement with existing theoretical predictions and the structure of the He- ion was also studied. Also, some states of Li and Be+ show strong diamagnetic characteristics, despite them having unpaired spins. Finally, the SVM was used on simulations of atoms in the presence of time-dependent strong electric fields. For this purpose the Stochastically Enhanced Kaufmann basis was created for the case of the hydrogen atom, and used to study the High Harmonics of the Mollow sidebands. The results were also compared to a calculation that employed a confined hydrogen atom eigenstate basis to ensure consistency.