Physics 475: Atomic and Molecular Physics

Introduction to Atomic and Molecular Physics


Fig. 1: The s+ and s- Zeeman effect lines for the l=643.8 nm 1D2 to 1P1 transition in cadmium at 0.68 T.

Winter Term 2010-11

Instructor: Dr. Carl Adams  Room 1006 PSC

PHYS 475 is a fourth year course primarily aimed at physics honours and advanced major students.  The field of atomic, molecular, and optical physics is extremely broad and active so at best we will be able to introduce key experimental and theoretical underpinnings of the topic.  PHYS 343 Quantum Mechanics I is a pre-requisite for this course and PHYS 325 is strongly recommended.

The experimental lab is a significant part of this course.

This is the course outline.

This is a review of lecture material and topics by date and lecture number.

Link to previous tests (midterms and exams).

Come on by and visit me!  I have time available to help you with the course.

Notifications:

  1. Our first lab is on Thursday, Jan. 6.  Please bring a classic black lab book (recycled is fine).
  2. Jan. 4: after discussion witht the class, we decided on two midterms, each worth 10%.
  3. Jan. 12: Assignment #1 due Jan. 18.  (ps I am adding bits of advice onto the assignment based on your questions)
  4. Feb. 2: That extra -1 in front of the positive odd m spherical harmonics is know as the Condon-Shortley phase.  It is included for consistency with the raising and lowering operators.
  5. Feb. 2: Assignment #2 due Feb. 11.
  6. Feb. 4: Whoops, a couple of mistakes in question 3.  Should be n=2 and l=1.  I have fixed it.
  7. March 29: Assignment #3 due Apr. 6.
  8. April 7: Here are the solutions for the midterm.
  9. April 7: The tutorial will be Friday, April 8, from 11 to 1 in PSC 3046.