PH440 (2018-2019)

Instructor: Prof. Gopal Dixit

Course Name: Introduction to Atomic and Molecular Physics ( PH440 )

Course Type: Theory (Core)

Credits: 6

Pre-requisites: Quantum Mechanics I and II

Course Content: 

1.  Review of one and two-electron atoms: Relativistic effects (spin orbit, mass- velocity and Darwin terms) in hydrogen and hydrogenic atoms, Lamb shift, ground and excited states of helium, shell structure of alkalis, quantum defect, Rydberg levels

2.  Basics of spectroscopy: Absorption and emission of photons, Transition probabilities and cross-sections, Lifetime, Line broadening mechanisms, Homogenous and in-homogenous broadening

3.  Many electron atoms: Central field approximation, coupled and uncoupled representations, L-S and j-j coupling schemes, Selection rules, Zeeman and Paschen-Back effects, Hyperfine interaction (magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole interactions), Isotope shift (mass shift and volume shift)

4.  Molecular Structure and Molecular Spectroscopy: quantum theory of chemical bonding, Understanding of Molecular Orbital, Diatomic Molecule : Vibrational and Rotational spectra, rotational-vibrational spectra, Raman scattering, Raman spectra

Books:

1.Physics of atoms and molecules: Bransden and Joachain
2.Atomic Physics: Christopher J. Foot

Lectures:

80% attendance policy before Midsem, but Prof. Dixit said that he did not care about attendance anymore after the Midsem. A mixture of slides+blackboard was used for teaching

Assignments:

There were ungraded assignments which had to be submitted. Some assignments were solved in class too

Exams and Grading:

Quiz 1  : 10%

Midsem: 25%

Quiz 2  : 15%

Endsem: 50%

Pro-Tips:

Prof. Dixit gave relatively simple papers in all exams except the Midsem. It helps if you solve all assignments well

Respondent: Shobhna Misra