Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - PHYS 881 G100

Special Topics I (3)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Class Number: 4007

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 10, 2023: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Topics:

  1. Atomic structure: single- and multi-electron atoms, angular momentum, real nuclei
  2. Molecular structure: Hund’s cases, rotation, and vibration
  3. Atoms in fields: electric and magnetic fields; atom-light interactions using classical, semiclassical, and quantum approaches; selection rules; near-resonant atom-light interactions
  4. Applications: selected topics such as forces on atoms and molecules, cooling and trapping techniques, scattering, matter wave interferometry, laser stabilization techniques, atoms in cavities, optical lattices, etc.

Grading

  • Homework 60%
  • Individual project, paper and presentation 40%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

There is no required textbook. Most graduate quantum mechanics books include atomic and molecular structure. Atom-field interactions and applications can be found in many atomic physics books, such as The Physics of Atoms and Molecules by Bransden and Joachain, Laser Cooling and Trapping by Metcalf and van der Straten; Optical Resonance and Two-Level Atoms by Allen and Eberly; Atomic Physics by Foot; or Atom-Photon Interactions by Cohen-Tannoudji, Dupont-Roc, and Grynberg.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.