Pyramidal Atoms: Berylliumlike Hollow States

Based on the idea that four excited electrons arrange themselves around the nucleus in the corners of a pyramid in order to minimize their mutual repulsion, we present an analytical model of quadruply excited states. The model shows excellent comparison with ab initio results and provides a clear physical picture of the intrinsic motion of the four electrons. The model is used to predict configuration-mixing fractions and spectra of these highly correlated states.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Squeezed light from spin squeezed atoms

We propose to produce pulses of strongly squeezed light by Raman scattering of a strong laser pulse on a spin squeezed atomic sample. We prove that the emission is restricted to a single field mode which perfectly inherits the quantum correlations of the atomic system.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, revtex4 beta

A quantum beam splitter for atoms

An interferometric method is proposed to controllably split an atomic condensate in two spatial components with strongly reduced population fluctuations. All steps in our proposal are in current use in cold atom laboratories, and we show with a theoretical calculation that our proposal is very robust against imperfections of the interferometer.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, revtex

Influence of oxygen ordering kinetics on Raman and optical response in YBa_2Cu_3O_{6.4}

Kinetics of the optical and Raman response in YBa_2Cu_3O_{6.4} were studied during room temperature annealing following heat treatment. The superconducting T_c, dc resistivity, and low-energy optical conductivity recover slowly, implying a long relaxation time for the carrier density. Short relaxation times are observed for the B_{1g} Raman scattering -- magnetic, continuum, and phonon -- and the charge transfer band. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that these two relaxation rates are related to two length scales corresponding to local oxygen ordering (fast) and long chain and twin formation (slow).Comment: REVTeX, 3 pages + 4 PostScript (compressed) figure

High current source of He −

A negative helium ion beam of 70 mA at 10.5 kV has been produced by charge exchange in sodium. The production is studied as a function of sodium line density, beam energy and background helium gas density. The characteristics of this high current He{sup -} source are analyzed to determine the design requirements for He{sup -} beam generation in the range of tens to hundred of milliamperes