摘要

A number of interesting phenomena occur at points where the energy levels of an atom or a molecule (anti) cross as a function of some parameter such as an external field. In a previous paper [M. Bhattacharya and C. Raman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 140405 (2006)] we have outlined powerful mathematical techniques useful in identifying the parameter values at which such (avoided) crossings occur. In the accompanying article [M. Bhattacharya and C. Raman, Phys. Rev A 75, 033405 (2007)] we have developed the mathematical basis of these algebraic techniques in some detail. In this article we apply these level-crossing methods to the spectra of atoms and molecules in a magnetic field. In the case of atoms the final result is the derivation of a class of invariants of the Breit-Rabi Hamiltonian of magnetic resonance. These invariants completely describe the parametric symmetries of the Hamiltonian. In the case of molecules we present an indicator which can tell when the Born-Oppenheimer approximation breaks down without using any information about the molecular potentials other than the fact that they are real. We frame our discussion in the context of Feshbach resonances in the atom-pair Na-23-Rb-85 which are of current interest.

  • 出版日期2007-3