A Student's Guide to Atomic Physics Student's Guides Series

This concise and accessible book provides a detailed introduction to the fundamental principles of atomic physics at an undergraduate level. Concepts are explained in an intuitive way and the book assumes only a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. With a compact format specifically designed for students, the first part of the book covers the key principles of the subject, including the quantum theory of the hydrogen atom, radiative transitions, the shell model of multi-electron atoms, spin-orbit coupling, and the effects of external fields. The second part provides an introduction to the four key applications of atomic physics: lasers, cold atoms, solid-state spectroscopy and astrophysics. This highly pedagogical text includes worked examples and end of chapter problems to allow students to test their knowledge, as well as numerous diagrams of key concepts, making it perfect for undergraduate students looking for a succinct primer on the concepts and applications of atomic physics.

Preface; List of symbols; Part I. Fundamental Principles: 1. Preliminary concepts; 2. Hydrogen; 3. Radiative transitions; 4. The shell model and alkali spectra; 5. Angular momentum; 6. Helium and exchange symmetry; 7. Fine structure and nuclear effects; 8. External fields: the Zeeman and Stark effects; Part II. Applications of Atomic Physics: 9. Stimulated emission and lasers; 10. Cold atoms; 11. Atomic physics applied to the solid state; 12. Atomic physics in astronomy; Appendix A. The reduced mass; Appendix B. Mathematical solutions for the hydrogen Schrödinger equation; Appendix C. Helium energy integrals; Appendix D. Perturbation theory of the Stark effect; Appendix E. Laser dynamics; Bibliography; Index.

Mark Fox is a Professor of Physics at the University of Sheffield. He is also a Fellow of the Optical Society of America, and the Institute of Physics. His research focuses on optics and photonics, and he specialises in solid-state atoms and quantum dots. He has authored two highly successful books: Optical Properties of Solids (2nd edition, 2010) and Quantum Optics: An Introduction (2005).