Electric field effects on the helium dimer

Three methods of perturbing the ground state of the He-4 dimer by electric fields are treated: the Stark shift by large static electric fields; dissoc iation by a pulsed electric field; and the coupling of a plane wave to the interaction-induced quadrupole moment of the dimer. The second process, wit h coupling to the interaction-induced polarizability anisotropy of the dime r, appears to offer the best prospect for observable perturbation of the di mer. The estimates are based on results of ab initio calculations of proper ties of the He-He system. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-96 06(00)00522-5].