Atoms and molecules consist of charged particles brought together into special basically stable relationships -- in essence, particle waves that self-consistently satisfy what’s needed for standing waves… or near-enough so.
Of course, they’re often also self-consistently satisfying external electric or magnetic fields imposed by other atoms or molecules nearby (’collisions’), or imposed by an external static field (Stark effect, Zeeman effect).
Then, too, they’re susceptible to imposed EM fields: microwaves or light, for example -- more waves, with phase relationships and the potential for coherent interactions.
We’ll see how all these relationships change, and how that affects what we see from, and can do with, atoms and molecules.
This is an introductory course in the subject, and should be considered a subject of basic literacy in quantum optics, and an important path to many exceptionally useful methods and phenomena in condensed matter physics, plasma physics, astrophysics, low-temperature physics, and optics.
Official Syllabus Description This is an introductory course in atomic & molecular physics at an advanced level, concentrating on the structure of atoms and molecules and their interactions with electromagnetic fields.
Topics to be covered include:
- Quantum Mechanics of Central Potentials and the Hydrogen Atom
- Exchange effects and the Helium Atom
- Thomas Fermi model and an Introduction to Density Functional Theory
- Spin-Orbit Interaction
- Many electron atoms and the Hartree-Fock approximation
- Hyperfine Structure and the Isotope Shift
- Atoms in static external fields: Zeeman and Stark effects
- Spectroscopy as state diagnostic: excitation, ionization, line-broadening
- Interactions of Atoms with Light
- Introduction to Molecular Physics
We are usually free to ‘steer’ the content of the course – please come to the introductory lecture prepared to discuss what your needs and interests are: theoretical/experimental; specific focus or broad literacy; astronomy, cold atoms, plasma, spectroscopy, etc.
Recommended preparation:
I will assume a strong undergraduate background in quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. It would help if you have already taken PHY 1520F "Quantum Mechanics" and PHY 1860F "Foundation of Quantum Optics".
Basic information (see also course handout)- Textbook
The recommended text will be on reserve in the Physics Library, and at Gerstein Science Library.
- Other useful texts
- Lectures: Mondays & Wednesdays 12 noon MP505, extra/make-up days are Fridays 12 noon MP505
- first organizational lecture Wednesday 16 September, please bring your calendars/datebooks
Lecturer- Prof. Robin Marjoribanks
- marj
physics.utoronto.ca - Office: MP1104C
- office hours: to be determined
- research website: http://www.physics.utoronto.ca/~marj
Lecturer’s background for this course: Studied undergrad QM at U of T Physics; QM, and Scattering Theory in Hilbert space in U of T Math Department with Professor Prugovecki; graduate QM at UCLA with Professor J.J. Sakurai; graduate Radiative Transfer with Professor Helfer at University of Rochester; PhD dissertation involving nonequilibrium x-ray spectroscopy of atoms and ions in hot collisional plasma, at University of Rochester. Continuing experimental research in atomic physics in warm dense matter using LCLS/Stanford, and nonequilibrium ionization and excitation in hot dense plasma.
First Lecture Organizational Topics- To sign up for course email, send me any email WITH THE SUBJECT LINE:
Special Dates*Double-check all important dates with the Graduate Office or Faculty of Arts & Science*
September 14 - Lectures begin for Arts & Science; the graduate office asks that we generally follow their schedule.
September 16 - First lecture; also organizational -- we’ll discuss good times for any make-up lectures; please bring your personal schedulers/calendars.
November 9-10 - “November Break”, no lectures normally scheduled
December 8 - Fall classes end
December 9 - Makeup day for classes that fall on Monday (instructor’s discretion)
SeminarsDate and time to be set in class -- watch this space!
Download Presentations [not yet posted] (see class email for password)
This is part of the course, and examinable at some appropriate level. Normally by PowerPoint or similar, let me know if you need speakers or other needs. Your aim should be to bring ideas and information to your classmates; evaluation will be based on:
• course-related content (atomic & molecular physics) [relevance and quality of information presented, internet-harvesting not usually sufficient at this level];
• technical preparation [slides easily readable, clear and effective communication, appropriate references];
• presentation [audible, address/engage audience; you don’t want to read out from a page];
• answering questions from class [clear? correct? concise? Better to say so, if you cannot answer -- marks off for bluffing ;-D];
• participation, asking questions of other presentations.
I’ll try to send comments favorable :-) and unfavorable :-(, and constructive criticism. Please contact me in advance if you have concerns about this approach.
Final Exam5pm Monday 14 December to 5pm Tuesday 15 December; hand in to staff in MP1109 (or if closed, then under my office door). Please be sure to keep a copy of your take-home exam script before handing it in.
Format: take-home 24 hours open-book; internet access may be required.
FINAL EXAM HANDOUT CLICK HERE
Problem Sets & Midterm Dates (dead links will work once items are posted)Problem sets will be posted two weeks before they’re due. Problem sets are handed in to me by 5pm on the day due. Please be sure to keep a photocopy/scan/photo of anything handed in, for your protection.
NB: These will not link until the dates the problem sets are handed out, two weeks before due date.
PS#1 - due Friday, 9 October (revised)
PS#2 - due Wednesday, 28 October
Midterm Test: Wednesday 4 November 12-2 pm (now confirmed, MP1218); Midterm2012
PS#3 - due Monday, 23 November
PS#4 - due Monday, 9 December
Seminar Day: Friday 27 November 12-2pm (now confirmed) MP408
Final Exam: date and time abovePlease keep a copy of your take-home exam script before handing it in.
Final Exam 2012
Comments & Postings: to come during course
iTunes: excellent QM lectures
These are at an undergraduate level, but are an excellent way to review or prepare background for our course.
Professor J.J. Binney, University of Oxford
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/quantum-mechanics/id381702006
Further advice about texts: Professor James’s listsIntroductory texts:
Elementary Atomic Structure by G.K. Woodgate
Atomic Physics by C. J. Foot
More detailed texts (* = RSM’s idea of classics):
Atoms and Molecules by Mitchel Weissbluth
Atomic Spectra by H.G. Kuhn
Atomic and Laser Spectroscopy by Alan Corney
Quantum Mechanics of One and Two- Electron Atoms by H. A. Bethe and
E. E. Salpeter *
The Theory of Atomic Structure and Spectra by R. D. Cowan *
The Theory of Atomic Spectra by Condon and Shortleyn*
Computational Atomic Structure: an MCHF approach by C. Froese Fischer,
T. Brage and P. Jönssen
Atomic Spectra and Radiative Transitions by I. I. Sobelman *
Collection of illustrations
Collection of some student questions, and answers
Q: has anyone asked any questions?
A: No, not yet… I take questions people ask me in office hours, or by email, and post them here...
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Q: ?
A:
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Q: Have you any suggestions about how to give a good seminar presentation?
A: Sure -- there are a number of good references or guides to giving a presentation, and you may have already taken the course in Physics from Professor Tony Key. If you’re looking, try this one:
“Giving a Talk”, Frank Kschischang’s guide (Electrical and Computer Engineering, Univ. of Toronto)
Last revised: 19 September 2015 -- © 2015 R.S. Marjoribanks