Description
We discuss the electronic structure of atoms and molecules, as well as basic concepts of their interaction with light.
The course consists of 3 parts. In the first part on atoms, we build up the shell structure of a n-electron atom, discussing the central-field approximation, the L-S and j-j couplings, and the effect of static magnetic or electric fields on the level structure.
Part 2 on molecules starts from the electronic structure of simple diatomic molecules to discuss rotations and vibrations of more complex molecules.
In part 3, we discuss the interaction of a two-level system with a coherent electromagnetic field, the formalism behind magnetic resonance and coherent optics. We derive the (spin or optical) Bloch equations and discuss some experiments using their solutions under steady-state or time-dependent conditions.
Programme form
Lectures and excercises
Literature
Physics of Atoms and Molecules, B. H. Bransden & C.J. Joachain
Schedule
Exam
The final grade is determined via a quiz (2 hour duration) at half-course and an exam (3 hour duration) at the end of the course. The final grade © will be calculated from the results of the quiz (t) and the exam (T) according to the following formulas: if T>t, C=T; if T<t, C=T+(t-T)/4.
Prerequisites
Quantummechanica 1 and Quantummechanica 2
More info
Contact details lecturer: Prof.dr. M. Orrit (Michel)
More information will be available on Blackboard (which requires a ULCN account).