This text on atomic structure is intermediate in level between purely introductory general texts on 'modern physics' and advanced specialized treatises. It is short enough to be read in the time normally devoted to atomic structure in physics degree courses. Throughout the book real-life examples from atomic spectroscopy are discussed alongside the exposition of the theory, both to give a feeling for orders of magnitude and to impart a real understanding of the application of elementary quantum mechanics.

This book is primarily intended to accompany an advanced undergraduate course in atomic physics. However, the elementary atomic physics covered in the early chapters should be accessible to undergraduates when they are first introduced to the subject. The book describes some of the latest advances and the applications to Bose-Einstein condensation of atoms, matter-wave interferometry and quantum computing with trapped ions. To complement the usual quantum mechanical treatment of atomic structure the book strongly emphasizes the experimental basis of the subject, especially in the later chapters.

Introduction to the Theory of Atomic Spectra is a systematic presentation of the theory of atomic spectra based on the modern system of the theory of angular momentum. Many questions which are of interest from the point of view of using spectroscopic methods for investigating various physical phenomena, including continuous spectrum radiation, excitation of atoms, and spectral line broadening, are discussed. This volume consists of 11 chapters organized into three sections. After a summary of elementary information on atomic spectra, including the hydrogen spectrum and the spectra of multi-electron atoms, the reader is methodically introduced to angular momentum, systematics of the levels of multi-electron atoms, and hyperfine structure of spectral lines. Relativistic corrections are also given consideration, with particular reference to the use of the Dirac equation to determine the stationary states of an electron in an arbitrary electromagnetic field. In addition, the book explores the Stark effect and the Zeeman effect, the interaction between atoms and an electromagnetic field, and broadening of spectral lines. The final chapter is devoted to the problem of atomic excitation by collisions. This book is intended for advanced-course university students, postgraduate students and scientists working on spectroscopy and spectral analysis, and also in the field of theoretical physics.

Part of the Physics in a New Era series of assessments of the various branches of the field, Elementary-Particle Physics reviews progress in the field over the past 10 years and recommends actions needed to address the key questions that remain unanswered. It explains in simple terms the present picture of how matter is constructed. As physicists have probed ever deeper into the structure of matter, they have begun to explore one of the most fundamental questions that one can ask about the universe: What gives matter its mass? A new international accelerator to be built at the European laboratory CERN will begin to explore some of the mechanisms proposed to give matter its heft. The committee recommends full U.S. participation in this project as well as various other experiments and studies to be carried out now and in the longer term.

All chemistry students need a basic understanding of quantum theory and its applications in atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy. This book provides a gentle introduction to the subject with the required background in physics and mathematics kept to a minimum. It develops the basic concepts needed as background. The emphasis throughout is on the physical concepts and their application in chemistry, especially to atoms and to the periodic table of elements

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