One-electron linear systems in a strong magnetic field - art. no. 022510

Using a variational method we study a sequence of the one-electron atomic a nd molecular-type systems H, H-2(+), H-3(2+), and H-4(3+) in the presence o f a homogeneous magnetic field in the range B = 0-4.414x10(13) G. These sys tems are taken as a linear configuration aligned with the magnetic lines. F or H-3(2+) the potential energy surface has a minimum for B similar to 10(1 1) G which deepens with growth of the magnetic field strength (A. Turbiner, J. C. Lopez, and U. Solis, Pis'ma Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 69, 800 (1999) [JET P Lett. 69, 844 (1999)]); for B greater than or similar to 10(12) G the min imum of the potential energy surface becomes sufficiently deep to have long itudinal vibrational state. We demonstrate that for the (ppppe) system the potential energy surface at B greater than or similar to 4.414 x 10(13) G d evelops a minimum, indicating the possible existence of exotic molecular io n H-4(3+). We find that for almost all accessible magnetic fields H-2(+) is the most bound one-electron linear system while for magnetic fields B grea ter than or similar to 10(13) G the molecular ion H-3(2+) becomes the most bound.