This new edition presents the recent developments in atomic physics. Beginning with a review of quantum mechanics, the book covers important areas of theoretical atomic physics, including semiclassical theory, periodic orbit theory, scaling properties for atoms in external fields, threshold behavior of ionization cross sections, and classical quantum dynamics of two-electron atoms.

Nobel Laureate's lucid treatment of kinetic theory of gases, elementary particles, nuclear atom, wave-corpuscles, atomic structure and spectral lines, much more. Over 40 appendices, bibliography.

The Fifth International Conference on Atomic Physics was held July 26-30, 1976 in Berkeley, California. Invited talks were solicited which were representative of the most important developments since the fourth conference held in Heidelberg, Germany in 1974. In this volume, we have collected the manuscripts of the invited speakers, in the belief that they represent a guide to contemporary re search in atomic physics. Experimental work on such topics as the search for parity violation, spectroscopy and collision processes of fast, highly-stripped heavy ions, exotic atoms, high-Rydberg states, laser spectros copy, photoelectron spectroscopy, and others are described. The work described in these manuscripts is a clear mea sure of the continued vitality of our field. One unhappy event since the last conference was the passing of Dr. Victor William (Bill) Cohen (1911-1974) of Brookhaven National Laboratory. Bill was one of the scientists who recognized early the need for personal communication among atomic physicists and was the prime mover in establishing the present international conference series. Everyone who has enjoyed the stimulation of these conferences is indebted to Bill Cohen, and we dedicate this volume of the proceedings to his memory.

to Atomic and Nuclear Physics Aerial view of the National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, Illinois. (Photograph courtesy of NAL.) Introduction to Atomic and Nuclear Physics HENRY SEMAT Professor Emeritus The City College of the City University of New York JOHN R. ALBRIGHT The Florida State University FIFTH EDITION LONDON NEW YORK CHAPMAN AN D HALL First edition 1939 Fifth edition, first published in the U.S.A. by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc. Fifth edition first published in Great Britain 1973 by Chapman and Hall Ltd 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Reprinted as a paperback 1978 Reprinted 1979, 1983, 1985 © 1939, 1946, 1954, 1962 by Henry Semat © 1972 by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc. Fletcher & Son Ltd, Norwich ISBN-13: 978-0-412-15670-0 e-ISBN-13: 978-1-4615-9701-8 DOl: 10.1007/978-1-4615-9701-8 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted, or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher.

For beginners and specialists in other fields: the Nobel Laureate's introduction to atomic spectra and their relationship to atomic structures, stressing basics in a physical, rather than mathematical, treatment. 80 illustrations.

The Fundamentals of Atomic and Molecular Physics is intended as an introduction to the field for advanced undergraduates who have taken quantum mechanics. Each chapter builds upon the previous, using the same tools and methods throughout. As the students progress through the book, their ability to use these tools will steadily increase, along with their confidence in their efficacy. The book treats the two-electron atom as the simplest example of the many-electron atom—as opposed to using techniques that are not applicable to many-electron atoms—so that it is unnecessary to develop additional equations when turning to multielectron atoms, such as carbon. External fields are treated using both perturbation theory and direct diagonalization and spontaneous emission is developed from first principles. Only diatomic molecules are considered with the hydrogen molecular ion and neutral molecule treated in some detail. This comprehensive coverage of the quantum mechanics of complex atoms and simple diatomic molecules, developed from the very basic components, is extremely useful for students considering graduate studies in any area of physics.

This collection of articles, which were first published in 1958 and written on various occasions between 1932 and 1957, forms a sequel to Danish physician Niels Bohr’s earlier essays in Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature (1934). “The theme of the papers is the epistemological lesson which the modern development of atomic physics has given us and its relevance for analysis and synthesis in many fields of human knowledge. “The articles in the previous edition were written at a time when the establishment of the mathematical methods of quantum mechanics had created a firm foundation for the consistent treatment of atomic phenomena, and the conditions for an unambiguous account of experience within this framework were characterized by the notion of complementarity. In the papers collected here, this approach is further developed in logical formulation and given broader application.”

The importance of the ?eld of atomic physics to modern technology cannot be overemphasized. Atomic physics served as a major impetus to the development of the quantum theory of matter in the early part of the twentieth century and, due to the availability of the laser as a laboratory tool, it has taken us into the twen- ?rst century with an abundance of new and exciting phenomena to understand. Our intention in writing this book is to provide a foundation for students to begin researchinmodernatomicphysics. Asthetitleimplies,itisnot,norwasitintended to be, an all-inclusive tome covering every aspect of atomic physics. Any specialized textbook necessarily re?ects the predilection of the authors toward certain aspects of the subject. This one is no exception. It re?ects our - lief that a thorough understanding of the unique properties of the hydrogen atom is essential to an understanding of atomic physics. It also re?ects our fasci- tion with the distinguished position that Mother Nature has bestowed on the pure Coulomb and Newtonian potentials, and thus hydrogen atoms and Keplerian - bits. Therefore, we have devoted a large portion of this book to the hydrogen atom toemphasizethisdistinctiveness. Weattempttostresstheuniquenessoftheattr- tive 1/r potential without delving into group theory. It is our belief that, once an understanding of the hydrogen atom is achieved, the properties of multielectron atoms can be understood as departures from hydrogenic properties.

This text will thoroughly update the existing literature on atomic physics. Intended to accompany an advanced undergraduate course in atomic physics, the book will lead the students up to the latest advances and the applications to Bose-Einstein Condensation of atoms, matter-wave inter-ferometry and quantum computing with trapped ions. The elementary atomic physics covered in the early chapters should be accessible to undergraduates when they are first introduced to the subject. To complement the usual quantum mechanical treatment of atomic structure the book strongly emphasizes the experimental basis of the subject, especially in the later chapters. It includes ample tutorial material (examples, illustrations, chapter summaries, graded problem sets).

Written as a collection of problems, hints and solutions, this book should provide help in learning about both fundamental and applied aspects of this vast field of knowledge, where rapid and exciting developments are taking place.