Introduction to Atomic Physics

Skills
A student who has attended the course Introduction to atomic physics can:

• write down the Schrödinger equation for the hydrogen atom, outline the procedure for arriving at its solution, describe the solutions, explain the physical mechanisms responsible for fine structure, Lamb shift, and hyperfine structure, and describe the importance of the hydrogen atom in the development of physics.
• explain the principles for interaction between an atom and external electromagnetic fields, including selection rules and why they exist, and explain the interaction between an atom and external fields as they materialise in Zeeman effect and Stark effect.
• explain how an understanding of the hydrogen atom leads to an understanding of two-electron atoms, many-electron atoms, and the principles leading to the periodic system of the elements.
• explain the origin of molecular bonds, the importance of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, and how the internal degrees of freedom give rise to molecular spectra.
• describe important laboratory techniques and applications in various fields of physics (e.g. quantum physics, time metrology or medical physics), interpret the spectra of alkali atoms and simple molecules, explain the physical mechanisms behind the spectral line profiles, and discuss some important applications of spectroscopy.

Knowledge
The student will obtain knowledge on such topics as: the hydrogen atom, radiation theory, relativistic effects, Zeeman and Stark effect, Lambshift, hyperfine structure, two and multi-electron systems, alkali atoms, the Thomas-Fermi atomic model, the structure and spectra of diatomic molecules.

Competences
The student learns to use the knowledge of e.g. quantum mechanics gained in previous courses on atoms. Through this course, the student gains the competences to pursue further studies within the subject, e.g. more advanced courses or projects.