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Advanced Atomic Physics, Physics 602, Fall 2008
Place: Physics 512
Time: MWF 11:15-12:05.
J. H. Macek
I.
TEXT
Two texts will be used for this course, namely, the text by Harold Friedrich Theoretical
Atomic Physics and a second text primarily dealing with the interaction of radiation with
matter. A second text has been tentatively selected (see the next section).
II.
COURSE OUTLINE
Modern atomic physics incorporates a broad range of subjects including, quantum optics,
collisions, Bose and Fermi condensates, and the interactions of light with matter. It is
impossible to do justice to all of these topics so no attempt will be made to touch on
all of them. Rather, the interaction of light with matter touches both fundamental and
applied atomic physics so the second term of advanced atomic physics will concentrate on
that subject. The course outline reflects this concentration. The outline topics are not
necessarily given in the order that they will be covered.
The topic divides naturally into two parts, one part deals with subjects that are applications of the perturbation theory that you already know. The second part deals with intense
fields and ultrafast processes and relies upon more advanced theory (and a different text).
The text by Marvin Mittleman, Introduction to the Theory of Laser-Atom Interactions will
be used for the second part of the course. The lowest price I have been able to find for this
book is $98.00 from Amazon.com. We will discuss orders for the book
A.
I. Review of the quantum theory of radiation
a. The electromagnetic field.
b. Photons.
c. Polarization and Stokes parameters.
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d. Emission of light by excited atoms.
B.
II . Atomic sources of radiation-characterization of sources.
a. The density matrix
c. Alignment and orientation.
d. Super-radiant states.
C.
III. Interaction of light and matter in the perturbation limit.
a. Absorption, emission and the two-level atom.
b. Photoionization.
c. Sum rules.
d. Compton scattering.
e. Light scattering, resonant and non-resonant light scattering as a probe.
D.
IV. Interaction of strong electromagnetic fields with matter.
a. Multiphoton processes-I (Perturbative)
b. Volkov states.
c. Muliphoton processes-II (Strong fields)
d. Ponderomotive potentials.
e. Above threshold ionization.
f. Ultrafast processes.
III.
COURSE STRUCTURE AND GRADING
Each student will be asked to prepare a written library research report for the course on a
topic of their choice, subject to instructor’s approval. The report should be on something related to the interactions of light with matter. There will be one homework problem assigned
per week. There may also be one final take-home exam for the course as a replacement for
homework for the latter part of the course. The course grade will be based on homework,
the report (50%) and the problems plus take-home exam (50%).
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The course is scheduled for three 50 min sessions MWF, however, two 75 min sessions on
two days most suitable for the schedule of students taking the course may be arranged.
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