Simple basis for hydrogenic atoms in magnetic fields

A field-dependent hydrogenic basis is used to obtain the evolution of the energy spectrum of atoms in strong (∼${10}^8$ G) and uniform magnetic fields. The basis allows results to be derived analytically. Numerical values for the first 13 excited states of hydrogen are found to be in very good agreement with much more elaborate calculations of Smith et al. and of Brandi. In addition, the possibility of having a remnant type of degeneracy in the presence of the magnetic field is investigated.