Physics of Highly Excited Atoms and Ions

1. Introduction.- 1.1 Physical Properties and Features of Rydberg Atoms and Ions.- 1.2 Scope of the Book.- 2. Classical and Quantum Description of Rydberg Atom.- 2.1 Classical Motion in a Coulomb Field.- 2.2 Wave Functions: Coordinate Representation.- 2.3 Wave Functions: Momentum Representation.- 2.4 Density Matrix and Distribution Function.- 3. Radiative Transitions and Form Factors.- 3.1 Probabilities of Radiative Transitions.- 3.2 Photoionization and Photorecombination.- 3.3 Transition Form Factors.- 4. Basic Approaches to Collisions Involving Highly Excited Atoms and Ions.- 4.1 Formulation of Problem.- 4.2 Born Approximation: Momentum Representation.- 4.3 Time-Dependent Approach: Impact-Parameter Representation.- 4.4 Semiclassical Approach in Action Variables.- 4.5 Impulse Approximation Approach.- 5. Collisions of Rydberg Atom with Neutral Particles: Weak-Coupling Models.- 5.1 Quasi-free Electron Model.- 5.2 Scattering of Ultra-Slow Electrons by Atoms and Molecules.- 5.3 Semiclassical Theory: Impact-Parameter Approach with Fermi Pseudopotential.- 5.4 Impulse Approximation for Rydberg Atom-Neutral Collisions.- 6. Elementary Processes Involving Rydberg Atoms and Neutral Particles: Effects of Electron-Projectile Interaction.- 6.1 Classification of Processes and Theoretical Treatments.- 6.2 Transitions between the Fine-Structure Components and Elastic Scattering.- 6.3 Orbital Angular Momentum and Energy Transfer: l-Mixing and n, l-Changing Processes.- 6.4 Ionization of Rydberg Atom by Atomic Projectile.- 6.5 Quenching of Rydberg States: Thermal Collisions with Atoms.- 6.6 Quenching and Ionization of Rydberg States: Thermal Collisions with Molecules.- 7. Effects of Ion Core in Rydberg Atom-Neutral Collisions.- 7.1 Mechanisms of Perturber-Core Scattering.- 7.2 Separated-Atoms Approach: Shake-Up Model.- 7.3 Quasi-molecular Approach: Basic Assumptions.- 7.4 Exchange of Rydberg Electron Energy with Translational Motion of Atoms.- 7.5 Resonant Excitation and Ionization.- 8. Inelastic Transitions Induced by Collisions of Rydberg Atom (Ion) with Charged Particles.- 8.1 Basic Problems.- 8.2 n-Changing Transitions.- 8.3 l-Changing Transitions.- 9. Spectral-Line Broadening and Shift.- 9.1 Classical and Quantum Treatments of Impact Broadening.- 9.2 Theory of Width and Shift of Rydberg Levels in Gas.- 9.3 Comparison of Theory with Experiment.- 9.4 Broadening of n - n? Lines in a Plasma.- List of Symbols.- References.