DYNAMICS OF ELECTRONIC RYDBERG WAVE-PACKETS IN THE PRESENCE OF LASER-INDUCED CORE TRANSITIONS

Recent theoretical work on the dynamics of electronic Rydberg wave pac kets under the influence of laser-induced core transitions is reviewed . The discussion focuses on the intricate interplay between laser-modi fied electron correlation effects, radiative damping by the ionic core and the time evolution of electronic Rydberg wave packets. Via the st imulated light force this interplay manifests itself also in the atomi c center of mass motion. A unified theoretical framework is provided b y combining methods of quantum defect theory, stochastic techniques an d semiclassical path expansions.