Quantum beats and Kepler motion in fast competing photoionization and photodissociation processes

Abstract

Electronic and nuclear wavepackets created by coherent excitation of an autoionized and predissociated ‘complex ’ resonance in H₂ are studied theoretically using time-dependent multichannel quantum defect theory. The calculations predict that quantum beats between the components of the complex resonance interfere with Rydberg wavepacket (Kepler) motion to yield characteristic ‘mixed’ flux patterns in the observable time-dependent ionization and dissociation signals.