A Student's Guide to Atomic Physics

A concise overview of the fundamental concepts and applications of atomic physics for students including examples, problems, and diagrams of key concepts.

Mark Fox (Author)

9781108446310, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 June 2018

292 pages, 83 b/w illus. 27 tables
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.4 cm, 0.48 kg

'This is a well-constructed book with a great many exercises at the end of each chapter. These exercises are of tremendous value, enabling students to solve a wide variety of problems in the subject. I would recommend this book for anyone who wanted a basic understanding of atomic physics.' Trevor Bailey, Mathematics Today

This concise and accessible book provides a detailed introduction to the fundamental principles of atomic physics at an undergraduate level. Concepts are explained in an intuitive way and the book assumes only a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. With a compact format specifically designed for students, the first part of the book covers the key principles of the subject, including the quantum theory of the hydrogen atom, radiative transitions, the shell model of multi-electron atoms, spin-orbit coupling, and the effects of external fields. The second part provides an introduction to the four key applications of atomic physics: lasers, cold atoms, solid-state spectroscopy and astrophysics. This highly pedagogical text includes worked examples and end of chapter problems to allow students to test their knowledge, as well as numerous diagrams of key concepts, making it perfect for undergraduate students looking for a succinct primer on the concepts and applications of atomic physics.

Preface
List of symbols
Part I. Fundamental Principles: 1. Preliminary concepts
2. Hydrogen
3. Radiative transitions
4. The shell model and alkali spectra
5. Angular momentum
6. Helium and exchange symmetry
7. Fine structure and nuclear effects
8. External fields: the Zeeman and Stark effects
Part II. Applications of Atomic Physics: 9. Stimulated emission and lasers
10. Cold atoms
11. Atomic physics applied to the solid state
12. Atomic physics in astronomy
Appendix A. The reduced mass
Appendix B. Mathematical solutions for the hydrogen Schrödinger equation
Appendix C. Helium energy integrals
Appendix D. Perturbation theory of the Stark effect
Appendix E. Laser dynamics
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Laser technology & holography [TTBL], Applied optics [TTB], Astrophysics [PHVB], Atomic & molecular physics [PHM], Optical physics [PHJ]