Atomic Physics
We consider tunnel ionization of atomic argon in a femtosecond laser pulse of intensity $10^{21}-10^{22}{\rm W/cm}^2$ aiming to investigate the relativistic dynamics and radiation of photoelectrons released from their parent ions inside the…
We measured the Q-value and the scattering angle distributions for non-dissociative state selective single electron capture in collisions of 7.5 keV H$^+$ and 15 keV H$_2^+$ with He. The experimental data are compared with semiclassical…
A representation of polymer self-consistent field theory equivalent to quantum density functional theory is given in terms of non-orthogonal basis sets. Molecular integrals and self-consistent equations for spherically symmetric systems…
We demonstrate efficient sub-Doppler laser cooling of the three eigenmodes of a $^{40}$Ca$^+$ ion confined in a compact Penning trap operating with a magnetic field of 0.91 T. Using the same set of laser beams as required for the initial…
We present a method for absolute calibration of received radio-frequency in the ultra low frequency (ULF), and very low frequency (VLF) range. This is achieved with the use of a radio frequency optically pumped magnetometer (RF-OPM). We…
Accurate and comprehensive atomic data are essential for the modelling of stellar spectra. Uncertainties in the oscillator strengths of specific lines used for abundance analyses directly translate into uncertainties in the derived…
Long-range Rydberg molecules (LRMs) form when a highly excited Rydberg electron scatters from ground-state atoms inside its orbit, creating oscillatory, long-range potentials. We present a combined theoretical and experimental study of…
We perform a comparative study of the breakup of positronium and ionization of atomic hydrogen by projectile-nuclei in the weak perturbation collision regime, $Z_p e_0^2/\hbar \ll v < c $ ($v$ is the collision velocity, $Z_p$ the projectile…
We report the discovery of a universal geometric constraint on the detection of kinetic energy release (KER) in three-dimensional quantum fragmentation. By analyzing the dissociation of localized wavepackets, we demonstrate that the $4\pi…
Using the configuration-interaction plus coupled-cluster approach, we calculate the electric-field gradients $q$ for the low-lying states of alkaline-earth atoms, including magnesium (Mg), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba). These low-lying…
We directly observe and spatially map an optical analog of the Magnus effect, where intrinsic spin-orbit-like coupling of light generates a spin-dependent transverse displacement of the atom-light interaction profile for a $^{40}$Ca$^+$…
Wichmann-Kroll corrections are calculated in both hydrogen-like electronic ions and muonic systems ($Z = \{36$--$92\}$) using two independent methods. The Gaussian finite basis set approach, enhanced with dual basis construction, analytical…
High-precision spectroscopy of simple atomic systems can be used to advance the theory of atomic energy levels but can also serve as a sensitive probe of nuclear charge radii. For this last purpose, we report an improved measurement of the…
A gas-phase sample consisting of lithium iodide, $\mathrm{LiI}$, molecules and their dimer $\mathrm{(LiI)}_2$, are Coulomb exploded by an intense 25 femtosecond laser pulse. In the case of $\mathrm{LiI}$, we focus on the double ionization…
We report on the observation of coherent molecular vibrations launched by the breaking of a molecular bond. The methyl radical, which is produced by $267\,\mathrm{nm}$ photodissociation of methyl iodide, is excited to high levels in its…
We analyze the spectral properties of high-order harmonic radiation with photon energies extending beyond the regular cutoff energy in standard high-order harmonic generation. The extension of the regular harmonic cutoff results from…
The NL-$e$EDM experiment searches for a non-zero electric dipole moment of the electron $d_e$ ($e$EDM) in the ground state of barium monofluoride (BaF). A beam of BaF from a supersonic expansion source is probed with the spin precession…
In red-detuned magneto-optical traps (MOTs) of molecules, sub-Doppler heating competes with Doppler cooling, resulting in high temperature and low density. A solution is offered by the blue-detuned MOT where sub-Doppler cooling dominates…
Rydberg atoms in a gas form are highly sensitive electric field probes capable of detecting and measuring the amplitude, phase, and polarization of broadband time-varying signals. Here, we present the performance of a frequency modulated…
We present a roadmap to a deployable, intrinsically calibrated thermometer with long-term accuracy of 30 mK, exceeding existing on-orbit resistance-based thermometers. Our quantum blackbody thermometer is based on measuring fluorescence…