Updated versions of this are found at the home page of this course:
http://www.fi.uib.no/AMOS/PHYS261/PHYS261-atom.html

PHYS261-Atomic Physics and Physical Optics.

Outline of the Course - Atomic Physics Part

Study materials:

There will be distributed detailed notes during the lecture period (for both parts).
In the following outline, B &J stands for  Bransden and Joachain: Atomic and Molecular Physics ,
which is the recommended, but  NOT COMPULSORY  book for the course. References to other books and texts
will be given throughout the lectures. It is not necessary to purchase a specific book.
Exam:
The examination is oral and will take place in the first part of December. The precise date will be agreed on,
depending on the needs of the students.
The course is selfcontained, but at least most elementary knowledge of quantum theory is necessary.
  1. Introduction. The history, present state and possible future of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Science (AMOS).
  2. Hydrogen-like atoms.Properties of nl-states, Atomic units. Basic facts. Ref: B &J, Merzbacher, any book on Quantum Mechanics
  3. Interaction of atomic electrons with Electromagnetic Field. Part 1, qualitative overview, selection rules
  4. Two-electron atoms. Perturbatinal and variational methods. Ref: B &J, NOTES
  5. Many-electron atoms. Selfconsistent fields. Second quantization and algebraic methods for SCF. Configuration Interaction. Ref: B &J, NOTES 
  6. Brief Introduction to molecular physics Born-Oppenheimer Approximation, electronic, rotational and vibrational spectra. Ref: B &J parts of chapters 9 and 10
  7. Interaction of atomic electrons with Electromagnetic Field. Fermi's Golden Rule, density of states, elmag. lifetime. Line-shapes. Ref: B &J, Chapter 4 , NOTES
  8. Principles of Laser Physics. Einstein A and B coefficients, population inversion. Coherent states of electromagnetic field (Glauber States). Ref: NOTES , B &J chap.4, chap. 14.2
  9. Atoms in Laser fields. Ref: NOTES
  10. Phenomena and Mechanisms: Fine structure and Hyperfine structure of atomic spectra, Zeeman effect, Stark effect, Lamb-shift , Auger effect. Ref: B &J, NOTES, qualitative review.
  11. Relativistic phenomena in atomic physics. Dirac equation. Spin-orbit coupling. Ref: NOTES. Background in B &J.
  12. Relation of atomic physics to other fields. Seminar form. Orientation. Solid state Physics, Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics
  13. Computer experience with selfconsistent fields, numerical solution of Schroedinger Equation, Configuration Interaction etc.Ref: NOTES.
    Demonstrations on the computers in groups. For interested students - own work.
    Some of the computer exercises will be available during the course at aproprite periods, a larger block will be run in a special period towards the end of the course.

L. Kocbach,
ladi@post.ift.uib.no