The Effect of Intense Light on the Energy Levels of Atoms

Abstract

IN 1923, Bohr (Z. f. Phys., 13, P. 117; 1923) directed attention to the fact that the usual formulæ of the older quantum theory might not be strictly applicable to atoms which are subjected to intense radiation fields of high frequency, such as those of ordinary light. Schrödinger (see particularly equation 16, Ann. d. Phys., 81, p. 109; 1926) has formulated the differential equation for the ψ-function of an atom exposed to a harmonic electric force, and from this the allowed values of the quantity E appearing in the equation may be determined. In such a case, however, the physical interpretation of E is doubtful, though it seems highly probable that it represents the (average) energy of the disturbed atom. Thus we cannot be certain that the equation E₁E₂=h is correct for calculating the frequencies emitted by such an atom. Whatever be the final formulation of the theory, it seems reasonable to suppose that the energy levels of atoms in sources at very high temperatures may be modified by the electric and magnetic fields of the radiation from the source itself.