Atomic Physics

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Understand the Periodic table from the viewpoint of the electronic structure.
• Understand the exchange degeneracy and how this affects the excited states of helium.
• Know about the origins of fine structure in atomic spectra.
• Understand the concepts of a good quantum number and simultaneous observability.
• Understand time independent perturbation theory including its derivation and be able to apply it to simple systems, including the Stark-Effect and Zeeman Effect.
• Understand and be able to apply to simple cases time dependent perturbation theory.
• Know about Einstein A and B coefficients and the relationship between them.
• Understand the quantum numbers, including their physical significance, and quantum mechanical states of the hydrogen atom.
• Understand the derivation of and be able to apply the selection rules for the interaction of electric dipole radiation and atoms.

• Quantum Mechanics in Atomic Physics
• Introduction, Quantum mechanical description of the hydrogen atom Angular Momentum Atomic Spectra Time
• Independent Perturbation Theory Fine Structure
• Spin Orbit Coupling, Relativistic Effects, Hyperfine Structure, Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory Interaction of Atoms with E. M. Radiation
• Absorption and Emission of Radiation, Physical Model, Allowed and Forbidden Transitions, Spontaneous Emission Many Electron Atoms
• Periodic table Helium
• Independent Electron Model, Electron-Electron Interactions, Term Symbols Structure of Many Electron Atoms
• Alkali Metal Atoms, Helium-like Atoms, Hund's Rules, Atomic Orbitals, Slater Orbitals, Self consistent field calculations, Coupling Schemes, Spin Orbit Interactions, LS-coupling approximation, jj-coupling approximation, Selection Rules Atoms in Electric or Magnetic Fields
• Atoms in Magnetic Field, Zeeman Effect, Weak-Field Zeeman Effect, Strong field Zeeman effect, Atoms in Electric Fields, Stark effect.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

G K Woodgate (1983). Elementary Atomic Structure. McGraw-Hill.

D G C Jones (1997). Atomic Physics. Chapman and Hall.

Assessment strategy

Late hand-ins of problem sheets are not allowed.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External