Niles

Thanks for replying. That relation makes good sense. Maybe this link works better (it is on page 150 of the book): http://books.google.dk/books?id=SUBH...page&q&f=false

The authors mention that this corresponds to the internal atomic dynamics following the center-of-mass motion of the atom adiabatically. When I hear "adiabatic", I would believe that it means that the atom is in the same internal state during its center-of-mass motion. The above inequality states that the internal dynamics are very fast, so isn't it wrong to say that there is adiabatic following? It is the opposite of adiabatic following, since the internal state changes very fast during the external motion (?).

Thanks in advance.

Best,
Niles.