For neutral particle systems in a homogeneous magnetic field, there exists a constant of motion, the pseudomomentum, which allows a complete pseudoseparation of the center-of-mass motion. For ions such a separation is not possible, and the Landau orbit of the center-of-mass and internal (electronic) motion are intimately coupled. We investigate different physical situations for which this interaction becomes strong at laboratory magnetic-field strengths. In particular, we find that the Landau orbit itself can change substantially upon this interaction.

• Received 16 August 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.43.287