Atomic and Molecular Physics (Theory)

Paper Code: 
CPHY 812
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Objectives:

This course will enable the students –

  1. To develop an understanding of the atomic and molecular structure.
  2. To develop an understanding of the interaction of atomic and molecular systems with external homogeneous static electric and magnetic fields .
  3. To enable the students to apply the knowledge acquired from study of this paper to analyze atomic and molecular spectra or to solve problems related to Atomic and Molecular Physics, Molecular Spectra of diatomic molecules, Vibrational and Rotational energy levels and Raman spectra.

Course outcomes (COs):

 

Course

Learning outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment

Strategies

PAPER CODE

Paper Title

CPHY 812

 

 

 

Atomic and Molecular Physics

 (Theory)

 

 

 

The students will be able to:

 

CO163: analyze the hydrogen spectrum.

 

CO164: apply the perturbation theory to non–degenerate and degenerate systems.

 

CO165: distinguish Zeeman effect and Stark effect.

 

CO166: solve bound state problems using connection formulas.

 

CO167: apply Heitler-London Method to find states of hydrogen molecule.

 

CO168: analyze different types of spectra viz. Alkali metal spectra, Alkali earth metal spectra, IR spectra and Raman spectra.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials,  Demonstration, Problem Solving in tutorials

 

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self learning assignments, Effective questions,  Seminar presentation, Solving numerical.Additional learning through online videos

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems, Assignments, Presentations

 

CONTENTS

 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
I
Hydrogen Atom : Gross structure energy spectrum, probability distribution of radial and angular (l=1,2) wave functions (no derivation), effect of spin, relativistic correction to energy levels and fine structure, magnetic dipole interaction and hyperfine structure, the Lamb shift (only qualitative description).
 
 
14.00
Unit II: 
II
Interaction with External Fields : Non degenerate first order stationary perturbation method, perturbed harmonic oscillator, Zeeman effect(Normal, Anomalous) and calculation of interaction energy, degenerate stationary perturbation theory, atom in a weak uniform external electric field and first and second order Stark effect, Linear Stark effect for H-atom levels.
 
 
10.00
Unit III: 
III
Systems with Identical Particles: Indistinguishability and exchange symmetry, many particle wave functions and Pauli's exclusion principle, spectroscopic terms for atoms. The Helium atom,Variational method and its use in the calculation of ground state and excited state energy.
11.00
Unit IV: 
IV
The Hydrogen molecule: Hitler-London method for H2 molecule, WKB method for one dimensional problem, application to bound states (Bohr Sommerfield quantization) and the barrier penetration (alpha decay problems).
 
13.00
Unit V: 
V
Spectroscopy (Qualitative) : General features of the spectra of one and two electron systems, singlet, doublet and triplet characters of emission spectra, general features of alkali spectra, Raman spectra for rotational and vibrational transitions, comparison with infra red spectra, general features of electronic spectra, Frank and Condon's principle.
References: 
• “Elementary Atomic Structure”, G.K. Woodgate, Second Edition Clarendon Press, Oxford. 
• “Atomic and Molecular Physics”, T.A. Littlefield. 
• “Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids and Nuclear Particles”, Eistaberg and Rasmic. 
• “Quantum Mechanics : A Modem Approach”, Ashok Das and A.C. Melfessions, Gordon and Breach Science Publishers. 
• “Atomic Spectra”, White. 
• “Molecular spectra”, Herzberg. 
 
Academic Year: 
2023-2024
  • Printer-friendly version
  • PDF version