Atomic Physics

AY2017/2018 Semester 2

This course discusses the origins of atomic spectra and shows the application of quantum mechanics in describing the interaction between electrons and nuclei in atoms. Hydrogen atom - central potential approximation, radial wavefunction, quantum numbers, energy levels and degeneracy; electron spin and total angular momentum; spin-orbit coupling and fine structure; Zeeman splitting. Helium atom - Coulomb repulsion and exchange; singlet-triplet splitting. Electronic configuration and periodic table; alkali metals; residual electrostatic interaction; LS-coupling scheme; Hund?s rules; hyperfine structure and isotope shift. Selection rules for electric dipole interaction. Zeeman and Stark effects. Inner shell transitions and x-ray spectra. Modern experiments in atomic physics.