Atomic and Quantum Physics

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XIV

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

   Pages 1-4

3. The Mass and Size of the Atom

   • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

   Pages 5-24

4. Isotopes

   • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

   Pages 25-34

5. The Nucleus of the Atom

   • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

   Pages 35-46

6. The Photon

   • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

   Pages 47-64

7. The Electron

   • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

   Pages 65-75

8. Some Basic Properties of Matter Waves

   • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

   Pages 77-89

9. Bohr’s Model of the Hydrogen Atom

   • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

   Pages 91-116

10. The Mathematical Framework of Quantum Theory

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 117-144

11. Quantum Mechanics of the Hydrogen Atom

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 145-162

12. Lifting of the Orbital Degeneracy in the Spectra of Alkali Atoms

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 163-171

13. Orbital and Spin Magnetism. Fine Structure

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 173-195

14. Atoms in a Magnetic Field: Experiments and Their Semiclassical Description

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 197-212

15. Atoms in a Magnetic Field: Quantum Mechanical Treatment

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 213-234

16. Atoms in an Electric Field

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 235-250

17. General Laws of Optical Transitions

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 251-266

18. Many-Electron Atoms

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 267-278

19. X-Ray Spectra

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 279-291

20. Structure of the Periodic System. Ground States of the Elements

    • Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

    Pages 293-311

A thorough knowledge of the physics of atoms and quanta is clearly a must for every student of physics but also for students of neighbouring disciplines such as chemistry and electrical engineering. What these students especially need is a coherent presenta­ tion of both the experimental and the theoretical aspects of atomic and quantum physics. Indeed, this field could evolve only through the intimate interaction between ingenious experiments and an equally ingenious development of bold new ideas. It is well known that the study of the microworld of atoms caused a revolution of physical thought, and fundamental ideas of classical physics, such as those on measur­ ability, had to be abandoned. But atomic and quantum physics is not only a fascinating field with respect to the development of far-reaching new physical ideas. It is also of enormous importance as a basis for other fields. For instance, it provides chemistry with a conceptual basis through the quantum theory of chemical bonding. Modern solid-state physics, with its numerous applications in communication and computer technology, rests on the fundamental concepts first developed in atomic and quantum physics. Among the many other important technical applications we mention just the laser, a now widely used light source which produces light whose physical nature is quite different from that of conventional lamps. In this book we have tried to convey to the reader some of the fascination which atomic and quantum physics still gives a physicist studying this field.

• Atomphysik
• Physics
• Quantentheorie
• laser
• quantum theory

• Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart 80, Fed. Rep. of Germany

  Hermann Haken

• Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart 80, Fed. Rep. of Germany

  Hans Christoph Wolf

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