Atomic Physics
Syllabus, Master's level, 1FA551
This course has been discontinued.
- Code
- 1FA551
- Education cycle
- Second cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Physics A1N
- Grading system
- Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail (U)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 15 March 2007
- Responsible department
- Department of Physics and Astronomy
Entry requirements
Bachelor of Science in Physics or Chemistry with courses in quantum mechanics, atom and molecular physics or physical chemistry or similar.
Learning outcomes
The course should prepare for wider studies in basic material physics and research On completion of the course should the student be able to make atom calculations to show that he/she understood the atoms' electron structure at the deeper level. The students should have familiarity with theory concepts and working methods within atomic physics and be able to use relevant measurement equipment and be able to evaluate experimental results.
Content
- Quantum mechanical foundations: State and partition functions. Angular momentum and addition of angular momenta. Stationary states. Expectation values. Transitions. Electric dipole approximation. Quantum number and selection rules. Multipole radiation. Non-radiative transitions.
- One-electron atoms: Energy levels and wave functions. Spin-orbit coupling. Relativistic effects. QED. Alkalihalogenides. Spectra.
- Helium: Approximation methods, Coulomb - and the exchange integral, the fundamental state, excited states, wave functions and Slater determinants. Spectra.
- Many-electron atoms: The central field approximation, the SCF-method, the Thomas-Fermi potential, LS-coupling, fine structure, jj-coupling, intermediary connection, other couplings, configuration mixing. Spectra.
- Effect of external field: Zeeman -, Paschen-Back - and Stark effects. Spectra.
- Effect of the nucleus on the electron structure: Mass dependency, hyperfine structure. Spectra.
- Computer-aided quantum mechanical calculations and simulations: Calculations of orbital energies with potential energy that is calculated according to Thomas-Fermi. Hartree - Fock calculations.
- Laboratory work: Photoelectron spectroscopy. Optical spectroscopy. X-ray physics.
Instruction
If so required, the course will be given in English. Lectures and problem solving sessions. Laboratory sessions and compulsory assignments. Teaching is given also in the form of demonstrations and supervision in connection with laboratory sessions and calculation exercises. Participation in laboratory sessions and with these integrated teaching are compulsory.
Assessment
Submitted reports on laboratory sessions and theoretically treated problems and assignments presented during the course. Oral seminar assignment presentation.