Atomic Physics (PHYS-6123)

Course description

The first half of this course deals principally with atomic structure and the interaction between atoms and fields. It covers electronic transitions, atomic spectra, excited states, hydrogenic and multi-electron atoms. The second half of the course deals with the binding of atoms into molecules, molecular degrees of freedom (electronic, vibrational, and rotational), elementary group theory considerations and molecular spectroscopy.Quantum mechanical foundations: State and partition functions. Angular momentum and addition of angular momenta. Stationary states. Expectation values. Transitions. Electric dipole approximation. Quantum number and selection rules. Multipole radiation. Non-radiative transitions.One-electron atoms: Energy levels and wave functions. Spin-orbit coupling. Relativistic effects. QED. Alkalihalogenides. Spectra.

Course Outline

Early atomic physics i. Basis for atomic theory ii. Bohr model of the hydrogen atom iii. Radiative decay and Einstein coefficients iv. Zeeman effect (b) The hydrogen atom i. Energy Levels and Eigenfunctions ii. Transitions iii. Relativistic Corrections and Fine Structure iv. Spectroscopic notation v. Lamb Shift (c) Multi-electron atoms i. Ground and excitated states of helium ii. Evaluation of direct and exchange integrals iii. Shell structure iv. Fine structure and other properties of alkalis v. LS-coupling scheme (d) Hyperfine structure and isotope shift (e) Interaction with radiation (f) Current AMO Topics (laser, laser cooling, quantum computing, etc.) Quantum mechanics runs through most of the topics. Here are a few of the topics we will see. (a) Schr¨odinger’s equation (b) Operators, commutators, eigenvalues (c) Angular momentum (orbital and spin) (d) Symmetries of the Hamiltonian (parity, particle exchange) (e) Central forces and separation of variables (f) Time independent, degenerate, and time dep. perturbation theory (g) Semi-classical treatment of electromagnetic radiation (h) Relativistic corrections (i) Variational principle

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course should prepare for wider studies in basic material physics and research On completion of the course should the student be able to make atom calculations to show that he/she understood the atoms' electron structure at the deeper level. The students should have familiarity with theory concepts and working methods within atomic physics and be able to use relevant measurement equipment and be able to evaluate experimental results.

Description of system of Evaluation

Exam: Mid (30%), Final (50%), Sessional (20%): Assignments, Presentations, Class Participation, Quizzes 

Time Table