The problem of the quantum-mechanical energy states of an electron in the field of a finite electric dipole is of great interest in several areas of physics and has been the subject of considerable study over a period of thirty years. It has been found that there is a minimum dipole moment required to produce binding of the electron. In view of the increase in the binding energy of the hydrogen atom in an external magnetic field, we have investigated the effect of a magnetic field on the binding by an electric dipole. Our results indicate that, unlike the zero-field case, the presence of a magnetic field always leads to binding. This situation is compared to the effect of a magnetic field on the binding of an electron by a neutral atom.

• Received 19 December 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.23.4902