Atomic And Molecular Radiation Physics

The physics of emission, absorption and interaction of light in astrophysics and in laboratory plasmas is developed from first principles and applied across various fields, from quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism, to statistical physics. This text links undergraduate level atomic and radiation physics with the advanced material required for postgraduate study and research.

This introduction to Atomic and Molecular Physics explains how our present model of atoms and molecules has been developed during the last two centuries by many experimental discoveries and from the theoretical side by the introduction of quantum physics to the adequate description of micro-particles. It illustrates the wave model of particles by many examples and shows the limits of classical description. The interaction of electromagnetic radiation with atoms and molecules and its potential for spectroscopy is outlined in more detail and in particular lasers as modern spectroscopic tools are discussed more thoroughly. Many examples and problems with solutions should induce the reader to an intense active cooperation.

This book describes selected problems in contemporary spectroscopy in the context of quantum mechanics and statistical physics. It focuses on elementary radiative processes involving atomic particles (atoms, molecules, ions), which include radiative transitions between discrete atomic states, the photoionization of atoms, photorecombination of electrons and ions, bremsstrahlung, photodissociation of molecules, and photoattachment of electrons to atoms. In addition to these processes, the transport of resonant radiation in atomic gases and propagation of infrared radiation in molecular gases are also considered. The book subsequently addresses applied problems such as optical pumping, cooling of gases via laser resonance radiation, light-induced drift of gas atoms, photoresonant plasma, reflection of radio waves from the ionosphere, and detection of submillimeter radiation using Rydberg atoms. Lastly, topical examples in atmospheric and climate change science are presented, such as lightning channel glowing, emission of the solar photosphere, and the greenhouse phenomenon in the atmospheres of the Earth and Venus. Along with researchers, both graduate and undergraduate students in atomic, molecular and atmospheric physics will find this book a useful and timely guide.

Contemporary research in atomic and molecular physics concerns itself with studies of interactions of electron, positron, photons, and ions with atoms, molecules, and clusters; interactions of intense ultrashort laser interaction with atoms, molecules, and solids; laser assisted atomic collisions, optical, and magnetic traps of neutral atoms to produce ultracold and dense samples; high resolution atomic spectroscopy and experiments by using synchrotron radiation sources and ion storage rings. In recent years, important advances have been made in the experimental as well as theoretical understanding of atomic and molecular physics. The advances in atomic and molecu lar physics have helped us to understand many other fields, like astrophyics, atmo spheric physics, environmental science, laser physics, surface physics, computational physics, photonics, and electronics. XII National Conference on Atomic and Molecular Physics was held at the Physics Department, M. 1. S. University, Udaipur from 29th Dec. 1998 to 2ndJan. 1999 under the auspices of the Indian Society of Atomic and Molecular Physics. This volume is an outcome of the contributions from the invited speakers at the conference. The volume contains 24 articles contributed by the distinguished scientists in the field. The contrib utors have covered a wide range of topics in the field in which current research is being done. This also reflects the trend of research in this field in Indian universities and research institutes. We are grateful to the national programme committee, national, and local organiz ing committees, and members of the Physics Department and Computer Centre, M. 1.

This book introduces the fundamental quantum physics of atoms and molecules. Divided into three parts, the first provides a historical perspective leading to the contemporary view of atomic and molecular physics, outlining the principles of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. The second part covers the physical description of atoms and their interaction with radiation, whilst the third part deals with molecular physics.

This book introduces the fundamental quantum physics of atoms and molecules. Divided into three parts, the first provides a historical perspective, which leads to the contemporary view of atomic and molecular physics, outlining the principles of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. The second part covers the physical description of atoms and their interaction with radiation, whilst the third part deals with molecular physics. This is the first volume of a series of three, focusing on a selected set of topics whilst also providing substantial, in-depth coverage of atomic, molecular, solid-state and statistical physics. Emphasis is given to the underlying physical basis or principle for each topic, and pedogogical features include conceptual layout sections that define the goals of each chapter, a simplified but rigorous mathematical apparatus and a thorough discussion of approximations are used to develop the adopted physical models.

Combined with Volumes 29A and 29B, this volume is a comprehensive treatment of the key experimental methods of atomic, molecular, and optical physics, as well as an excellent experimental handbook for the field. Thewide availability of tunable lasers in the past several years has revolutionized the field and lead to the introduction of many new experimental methods that are covered in these volumes. Traditional methods are also included to ensure that the volumes will be a complete reference source for the field.