Highly Excited Atoms

An introduction to the physics of highly excited, easily perturbed or interacting atoms.

Jean-Patrick Connerade (Author)

9780521017886, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 22 August 2005

528 pages, 171 b/w illus. 9 tables
24.4 x 17 x 2.8 cm, 0.833 kg

'This is an excellent and important new monograph on the wide range of physics that is studied using atomic systems. This substantial monograph is very clearly written and contains a wealth of informative diagrams. I am sure that all serious students of atomic systems in physics and chemistry should have access to it. Undergraduates wanting to look into the new physics in the field will benefit from dipping into the volume. The author is to be congratulated in producing what will surely become a classic for the field of atomic and molecular physics.' K. Burnett, Journal of Modern Optics

This book is an introduction to the physics of highly excited, easily perturbed or interacting atoms. The book begins with a brief introduction to the traditional view of electron shells and their properties, and then goes on to discuss Rydberg states, quantum defect theory, atomic f-values, centrifugal barrier effects, autoionisation, inner shell and double excitation spectra, K-matrix theory, atoms in high laser fields, statistical methods, quantum chaos, and atomic effects in solids. The emphasis is throughout on radial properties, orbital collapse, many body effects, the breakdown of the independent particle approach, the emergence of chaos, and the behaviour of atoms inside clusters and solids. A very full account of autoionisation includes not only the standard treatment for isolated resonances, but also several alternative approaches. The book discusses many experimental examples and has many diagrams and a comprehensive reference list.

Preface
1. Closed shells, sphericity, stability and 'magic numbers'
2. Rydberg states
3. Quantum defect theory for bound states
4. Atomic f-values
5. Centrifugal barrier effects
6. Autoionisation
7. Inner shell and double excitation spectra
8. K-Matrix theory of autoionising resonances
9. Atoms in high laser fields
10. Statistical methods and 'quantum chaology'
11. Atomic effects in solids
12. Atomic clusters
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Atomic & molecular physics [PHM]