APPLICATIONS OF WAVEPACKET METHODOLOGY

Wavepackets, coherent sums of quantum states, are now well understood both theoretically and experimentally in terms of their creation, evol ution and detection. When mature enough, wavepacket methods might them selves be considered a 'technology'. In this paper we address this con jecture and consider the application of wavepacket ideas and technique s to problems such as coherent control, lifetimes of Rydberg states an d laser isotope separation. We suggest that wavepacket methods might b e thought of more broadly as a potential tool to solve. variety of pra ctical problems.