Nonlinear Phenomena in Complex Systems, 2000, Vol.3, No.2, pp.177--180

NONLINEAR PHENOMENA IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS
An Interdisciplinary Journal

2000, Volume 3, Number 2, pp.177--180

The Self-Ionization Process for Atomic Ions in a Magnetic Field.
P. Schmelcher

In the presence of a magnetic field a permanent exchange of energy between the center of mass and electronic degrees of freedom of atomic ions is shown to take place. For large values of the initial center of mass velocity the energy transfer from the center of mass to the electronic degrees of freedom is strong enough to allow the atom to ionize. This dynamical self-ionization effect is studied in some detail. Although the study is based on classical mechanics it is argued that the effect should be observable in laboratory experiments.

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