MESOSCOPIC MOTION OF ATOMIC IONS IN MAGNETIC-FIELDS

We introduce a semiclassical model for highly excited atomic ions movi ng in a magnetic held, which allows us to describe the mixing of the L andau orbitals of the center of mass in terms of the electronic excita tion and magnetic field. The extent of quantum energy flow in the ion is investigated and a crossover from localization to delocalization wi th increasing center of mass energy is detected. Our model of the movi ng ion in a magnetic field turns out to be closely connected to models for transport in disordered finite-size wires. [S1050-2947(98)50611-7 ].