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Physics 4261 (Atomic Physics) Spring 2017

Welcome to the course website for physics 4261, atomic physics! This is an advanced undergraduate course in atomic physics intended for students with some background in quantum mechanics. Topics we will cover include the hydrogen atom (mostly as review), the helium atom, and atomic configurations and term symbols for multi-electron atoms. We will cover spectroscopy, selection rules, and some basic uses of atom-light and atom-microwave interactions such as laser cooling and atomic clocks. The goal of the course is to teach not just the basics of atomic physics, but also the ways of thinking and problem solving that atomic physicists use.

Syllabus

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Readings

  • Foot, Chapter 1 (by Wed 1/11)
  • Foot, Chapter 2 Sec. 1 (by Fri 1/20)
  • Foot, Chapter 2, Secs. 2 and 3 (by Wed 1/25)
  • Foot, Chapter 4 (by Wed 2/1)
  • Foot, Chapters 5 and 6 up to 6.2 (by Wed 2/8)
  • Foot, 7.1, 7.2 and 1.7 (by Fri 2/24)
  • Foot, rest of Chapter 7 (by Fri 3/3)
  • Foot, Chapter 8 (by Fri 3/31)
  • Foot, Chapter 9 (by Fri 4/7)
  • Foot, Chapter 10, secs. 10.3, 10.4, 10.5.1, 10.7 Townsend, 13.4, 13.5 (by Fri 4/14)
  • Foot, Chapter 12 (by Fri 4/22)

Homeworks

Lecture Notes

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