Quasiclassical theory of quantum defect and spectrum of highly excited rubidium atoms

Abstract

We report on a significant discrepancy between recently published highly accurate variational calculations and precise measurements of the spectrum of Rydberg states in ${}^{87}$Rb on the energy scale of fine splitting. Introducing a modified effective single-electron potential we determine the spectrum of the outermost bound electron from a standard WKB approach. Overall very good agreement with precise spectroscopic data is obtained.

6 pages, 2 figures, 3 tables

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