Confinement effects on persistent currents in hydrogenic atoms

A study of persistent currents and the corresponding induced magnetic field at the nucleus of spherically confined hydrogenic atoms was carried out. The atom was considered to be under the influence of a Hulthén plus a ring-shaped potential. The various confinement parameters prove to be effective in controlling the magnitude of persistent currents as well as induced magnetic fields. This study may prove beneficial for the application of laser pulses which are employed to induce ring currents much stronger than those generated by means of permanent magnetic fields. (paper)