Modelling laser-matter interactions using resonant states

Abstract

Studying how light interacts with materials has become important for many technological applications from optical communication to developing of new materials. Therefore scientists have always tried to improve their understanding of these effects. The primary goal has always been to microscopically describe the pertinent processes. This paper provides a brief introduction into the interactions of atoms with laser fields. Precisely this interaction, photoelectric effect and the blackbody radiation were those findings which started off the development of quantum mechanics. This theory allowed better description of atoms and it will be used in this work to handle the problem we are confronting. We will consider two of the simplest potentials and let the atom interact with a strong laser pulse in these potentials. From this interaction the so called resonant states will arise. The goal of this thesis is to investigate to what extent and in what meaning these resonant states form a complete set of functions and consequently can be used for expansion of atomic states of physical importance.