Atomicity And Quanta

This is the full text of James Jeans's Rouse Ball Lecture given in 1925 at Cambridge University, and surveys the field of atomic and subatomic physics in the early days of quantum mechanics, with a brief historical perspective on measurement.

The second edition of this book again enjoyed a very positive reception from both uni versity teachers and students. In this edition we have removed all of the typographical errors that came to our attention. In order to keep the book as current as possible, new developments in the direct observation of individual atoms in electromagnetic traps (Paul traps) and of atoms in molecules on solid surfaces using the scanning tunnel microscope have been added to this edition. Furthermore, new experiments in atomic interferometry have been included; they have become possible by making use of modern microstructure technology. Finally, the possibility of cooling atomic beams using laser radiation has taken on increasing impor tance; therefore we have treated this subject as well. This third English Edition cor responds to a future Fifth German Edition. We again thank all those colleagues and students who have pointed out to us errors in previous editions. It is a pleasure for us to thank again Springer-Verlag, in particular Dr. H. Latsch, Dr. H. J. Kolsch and C.-D. Bachem for their always excellent cooperation.

The highly positive affirmation and wide reception that this book continues to receive from professors and students ahke is the occasion for this 7th edition. Once again we have included a number of valuable suggestions for improvements, which we address as appropriate. In addition, we refer to a number of developments in atomic physics. Of these new developments in regard to exotic atoms, we mention antihydrogen in par ticular, because fundamental experiments in matter and antimatter can be expected in the future. Furthermore, we have inserted a chapter on the behaviour of atoms in strong elec trical fields. Experiments with corresponding lasers could only recently be realized. We thank our Jenaer colleague, R. Sauerbrey, for his contribution of this chapter. We have also included a new chapter on the behaviour of the hydrogen atom in strong magnetic fields. The results are of profound interest for two very different fields of physics: on the one hand, according to classical physics, one expects chaotic behaviour from Rydberg atoms in magnetic fields that can be created in the laborato ry; thus, an association can be drawn to aspects of chaos theory and the problems of quantum chaos. On the other hand, the very strong fields necessary for low quantum numbers are realized in the cosmos, in particular with white dwarfs and neutron stars.

The Physics of Atoms and Quanta is a thorough introduction to experiments and theory in this field. Every classical and modern aspect is covered and discussed in detail. The sixth edition includes new developments, as well as new experiments in quantum entanglement, Schrodingers cat, the quantum computer, quantum information, the atom laser, and much more. A wealth of experiments and problems are included. As this reference ends with the fundamentals of classical bonding, it leads into the authors' more advanced book Molecular Physics and Elements of Quantum Chemistry.

This is a textbook for first year undergraduate students in physics, chemistry, and other physical sciences. It is concerned with the structure of the atom and the information gained from atomic behavior about the nature of matter, light, and electricity. Deficiencies in classical theory and some fundamental problems involved in the description of atomic and sub-atomic systems are examined. An introduction to quantum theory with some key examples is also provided. The emphasis throughout is on concepts. References to experiments are made to test and support theories and introduce new information. Mathematical complexity has been avoided as much as possible, and problems of both a formal analytical and numerical kind are

This is the second book in the “Ask the Physicist” series. The first book, From Newton to Einstein: Ask the physicist about mechanics and relativity, provides an excellent foundation for this book that covers topics in ‘modern’ physics. The main emphasis of this volume is providing an accessible introduction to quantum physics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics to anyone with at least high-school physics knowledge.