Atoms, Molecules and Radiation

This course is part of the foundation of modern physics. It provides a foundation of knowledge that is strictly necessary for all physics courses, since it lays the foundations for the theoretical description of the interaction between the electromagnetic field and elementary quantum elements such as two-level systems, atoms and molecules. It also provides the teaching needed to understand LASER, modern optical devices and spectroscopic methods and analyses.

The aim of this course is to introduce the theoretical concepts and methods used to describe the electronic properties of atoms and molecules and the interaction between light and atomic matter: atoms and molecules interacting with electric and magnetic fields, spin and angular momentum, dielectric permittivity, Rabi oscillations, thermal radiation, introduction to LASER physics.

- Analytical mechanics

- Quantum mechanics

Recommended prerequisites

- Electromagnetism

Final written exam

1) Hydrogen atom

2) Algebra of moments

3) Time-independent disturbances

4) Magnetism - Spin and magnetic moment

5) Classical description of radiation-matter interaction

6) Blackbody radiation

7) Quantum description of radiation-matter interaction