PHY 331: Atomic, Molecular and Laser Physics

Instructor: Dr Muhammad Sabieh Anwar

Year: 2010-11

Office: 9-203A Email: sabieh@lums.edu.pk

Quarter: Fall

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 5 to 6 pm

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Course Description:
This course will focus on the applications of quantum mechanics to atomic and
molecular systems. The main focus will be on the
dynamics of spins and multi-level systems and
how this leads to the extraction of valuable
spectroscopic information. The building of the
periodic table from multi-electron systems will also
be studied. The physical concepts underlying
modern day spectroscopy and experimental
atomic and molecular physics will also be
highlighted such as magnetic resonance
spectroscopy, Bose-Einstein condensation, optical pumping, dark states,
electromagnetically induced transparency and X-rays etc. Finally, there will be a
review of laser principles, types and applications.
Pre-requisites:
Quantum Mechanics 1
Course Objectives:
At the end of the course student should be able to:
predict the time dynamics and measurement outcomes of time-varying
spin, atomic and molecular systems,
interrelate spectroscopic data with transitions between electronic, atomic
and molecular states,
understand the building up of the periodic table, and
appreciate how a laser works.

Text book:
Molecular Quantum Mechanics by Peter Atkins
Supplementary books:
Low cost editions of these books are easily available in Lahore.
Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids and Particles by R. Eisberg and R.
Resnick
Physics of Atoms and Molecules by B.H. Brandsen and C.J. Joachain

Lectures and Examinations:

Two weekly lectures of duration 75 minutes.
One mid-term, one comprehensive final examination.
Homeworks.

Grading Scheme:
Homework
Midterm
Final

20%
35%
45%

Tentative Course Schedule & Topics:

Week No.

Topics

Review of angular momentum, spin in external magnetic field

Spin dynamics, spin spectroscopy, NMR and ESR

Applying time dependent perturbation theory for understanding Rabi

flopping and Ramsey interferometry in a two-level system

Transitions in many level systems variation of constants approach

Einstein coefficients, lifetime and uncertainty

6-7

Atomic Spectroscopy: selection rules, spin-orbit coupling, fine

structure, hyperfine structure, spectrum of hydrogen

Midterm

Atomic Spectroscopy: spectrum of helium, Pauli principle and

quantum statistics

10

Applications

11

Review

12

The Periodic Table

13

Atoms in External Fields: Zeeman effects (normal and anomalous),

Stark Effect, Paschen-Beck Effect

14

Molecular rotational and vibrational spectroscopy

15

Introduction to Lasers

16

Final