A quantum partitioning theory is given for extracting dynamic information from the high-resolution spectra of highly excited atoms and molecules that is relatively simple to apply. The presented approach is applicable whenever the classical counterpart of the system studied is chaotic. The theory allows a picture of the underlying non-statistically-describable part of the dynamics to be obtained from the spectra. The theory presented effectively uses and unifies many aspects of classical trajectory approaches, Feshbach resonant-scattering partitioning theory, semiclassical periodic-orbit theory, ‘‘scars’’ theory, bright- and dark-state concepts, and Fourier transforms of the spectra. The power of the theory is demonstrated quantitatively by interpreting the dynamics underlying the absorption spectra of the hydrogen atom in a strong uniform magnetic field.

• Received 30 November 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.38.3732