Atoms, Molecules, and Radiation

This course is one of the cornerstones of modern physics. It provides a body of knowledge that is strictly necessary for all physics tracks, as it lays the groundwork for the theoretical description of the interaction between the electromagnetic field and elementary quantum systems such as two-level systems, atoms, and molecules. It also provides the knowledge necessary for understanding lasers, modern optical devices, and spectroscopic methods and analyses.

The objective 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, and an 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 the radiation-matter interaction