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Course Outline: Physics 475: Atomic and Molecular Physics Carl Adams, Winter 2007 1. Summary: This course provides a description of the experimental techniques and theoretical concepts that we use to describe atomic and molecular systems. Particular use is made of Schr¨ odinger’s wave mechanics. Classic examples as well as those from current research will be provided. An experimental lab is part of the course. 2. Text: Physics of Atoms and Molecules, 2nd edition, B.H. Bransden and C.J. Joachain 3. Grading scheme: Assignments (4) 20% Midterm 20% Lab 20% Comprehensive Final Exam 40% I draw your attention to Section 3.9 of the Academic Calendar Regulations on Plagiarism, Cheating, and Academic Dishonesty and online at http://www.stfx.ca/ services/registrar/academic-integrity-document.pdf Assignments are due at the beginning of class if there is a class on the due date and by 4 p.m. if there is no scheduled class that day. The assignment mark will be penalized by 10% for each teaching day the assignment is late after the due date upto a maximum of one week. After one week or if in special circumstances where I circulate solutions prior to that time (a warning will be given) the assignment will be worth zero. (I may still mark the assignment if you would like to see how well you did.) I will do my best to return the assignments within 10 days or sooner. A considerable portion of the midterm and exam questions will be based on assignments and examples covered in class and in the book so it is very important that you understand these solutions. All midterms and exams will be closed book with one double sided formula sheet. There are no scheduled tutorials for this class but if the class wishes I will try to arrange for a question and answer doughnut period prior to the midterm. 4. Office Hours: Rm 1029 Physical Sciences Complex, x5337 or in research lab PS 1063. Email: [email protected]. I am usually in my office or lab from 10 to 5 each day with the exception of classes and labs. Formal office hours will be Monday 12:15 to 2:15, Tuesday 10:15 to 12:15, and Thursday 10:15 to 12:15. This overlaps with blocks A, B, E, F, M, and P. Let me know if you would like a special appointment. 5. Course Outline: Follows chapters 1-6 with topics from other chapters. (a) History of Atomic and Molecular Physics and Reminder of PHYS 201 i. Kinetic theory of matter ii. Faraday’s Laws of electrolysis iii. Thomson’s discovery of the electon iv. Millikan’s measurement of e v. Rutherford scattering vi. Bohr’s model of the hydrogen atom vii. Blackbody radiation 1

Physics of Atoms and Molecules - StFXpeople.stfx.ca/cadams/physics475/coursedes2007.pdf · 2007-01-09 · Course Outline: Physics 475: Atomic and Molecular Physics Carl Adams, Winter

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Page 1: Physics of Atoms and Molecules - StFXpeople.stfx.ca/cadams/physics475/coursedes2007.pdf · 2007-01-09 · Course Outline: Physics 475: Atomic and Molecular Physics Carl Adams, Winter

Course Outline: Physics 475: Atomic and Molecular Physics

Carl Adams, Winter 2007

1. Summary: This course provides a description of the experimental techniques and theoreticalconcepts that we use to describe atomic and molecular systems. Particular use is made ofSchrodinger’s wave mechanics. Classic examples as well as those from current research willbe provided. An experimental lab is part of the course.

2. Text: Physics of Atoms and Molecules, 2nd edition, B.H. Bransden and C.J. Joachain

3. Grading scheme:

• Assignments (4) 20%

• Midterm 20%

• Lab 20%

• Comprehensive Final Exam 40%

I draw your attention to Section 3.9 of the Academic Calendar Regulations on Plagiarism,

Cheating, and Academic Dishonesty and online athttp://www.stfx.ca/ services/registrar/academic-integrity-document.pdfAssignments are due at the beginning of class if there is a class on the due date and by 4p.m. if there is no scheduled class that day. The assignment mark will be penalized by 10%for each teaching day the assignment is late after the due date up to a maximum of one week.After one week or if in special circumstances where I circulate solutions prior to that time (awarning will be given) the assignment will be worth zero. (I may still mark the assignment ifyou would like to see how well you did.) I will do my best to return the assignments within10 days or sooner. A considerable portion of the midterm and exam questions will be basedon assignments and examples covered in class and in the book so it is very important thatyou understand these solutions. All midterms and exams will be closed book with one double

sided formula sheet. There are no scheduled tutorials for this class but if the class wishes Iwill try to arrange for a question and answer doughnut period prior to the midterm.

4. Office Hours: Rm 1029 Physical Sciences Complex, x5337 or in research lab PS 1063. Email:[email protected]. I am usually in my office or lab from 10 to 5 each day with the exception ofclasses and labs. Formal office hours will be Monday 12:15 to 2:15, Tuesday 10:15 to 12:15,and Thursday 10:15 to 12:15. This overlaps with blocks A, B, E, F, M, and P. Let me knowif you would like a special appointment.

5. Course Outline: Follows chapters 1-6 with topics from other chapters.

(a) History of Atomic and Molecular Physics and Reminder of PHYS 201

i. Kinetic theory of matter

ii. Faraday’s Laws of electrolysis

iii. Thomson’s discovery of the electon

iv. Millikan’s measurement of e

v. Rutherford scattering

vi. Bohr’s model of the hydrogen atom

vii. Blackbody radiation

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Page 2: Physics of Atoms and Molecules - StFXpeople.stfx.ca/cadams/physics475/coursedes2007.pdf · 2007-01-09 · Course Outline: Physics 475: Atomic and Molecular Physics Carl Adams, Winter

viii. Photoelectric and Compton effect

ix. Stern-Gerlach experiment

x. deBrogile’s hypothesis

(b) Elements of of Quantum Mechanics

i. Waves and Particles

ii. Operators, Commutators, Eigenvalues

iii. Schrodinger’s equation

iv. Angular Momentum (orbital and spin)

v. Central Forces

vi. Perturbation Theory

(c) One Electron Atoms

i. Energy Levels and Eigenfunctions

ii. Interaction with Radiation

iii. Relativistic Corrections and Fine Structure

iv. Lamb Shift

v. Stark and Zeeman Effects

(d) Multi-Electron Atoms

(e) Molecules

6. Texts: Other than your textbook I will select or enrich topics from other text books. Youmay find these in the library and I may also have some. Barry Wallbank may also have copies.I highly recommend reading these other texts.

(a) Tipler and Llewellyn Modern Physics 4th ed.

(b) Max Born, Atomic Physics

(c) Christopher Foot, Atomic Physics

(d) Dirac, The principles of quantum mechanics

(e) Bransden and Joachim, Quantum Mechanics

Some googling is also fun and so is looking at Phys Rev A. The text is also very well referenced.

7. Labs: Some labs will be looking back at something you have done before and some will belooking forward. You will need to test certain things and learn about their operation beforeproceeding with measurements and analysis. I plan labs on the following topics: Millikanoil drop, Rutherford scattering, gas discharge, Thomson’s e/m of an electron, Zeeman ef-fect, and spectrographic analysis. Dr. Yoshi has also offerred to allow us to tour his realspectrometer in the old building. I will determine your lab mark using the following scheme:attendance/interest (15%), record keeping (15%), good experimental practice and skill (25%),data presenation and analysis (25%), and ability to form conclusions (20%). Your lab bookwill be your written record of what you have done. I expect a bit more written down aboutprocedures than you may have done in the past. Analysis should also be complete. I will giveyou a miderm mark on this. I will take the lab books in on Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 30, andon the day of the final exam.

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