Time Schedule:
Subhadeep Gupta
PHYS 421
Seattle Campus
Survey of the principal phenomena of atomic and molecular physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 323; PHYS 325. Offered: W.
Class description
(1) Basic atomic structure including fine, hyperfine, and Zeeman structure, focusing on hydrogen, helium, and the alkalis. The structure of diatomic molecules. (2) Interactions of atoms with radiation, including manipulation of atomic internal energies and external momentum. (3) Modern topics including laser cooling, neutral atom and ion trapping, quantum degenerate gases, atom interferometry.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
In addition to a weekly homework assignment, there will be two one-hour in-class exams and a two-hour final exam. The total homework grade and each one-hour exam are worth 100 points each. The final exam is worth 200 points. You can drop either of the one-hour exams, or half of the final, but not the homeworks. The grade for the class will thus be on a total of 400 points.
