Atomic Physics

PHYS40642 Atomic Physics 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 4 Andrew Murray Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 Atomic Physics  Atomic Physics This course will discuss the physics of atoms and their interactions with radiation, and how these processes are measured. The historical evolution of atomic physics will initially be described, by discussing key experiments and theoretical developments that have lead to our modern understanding of atoms and their structure. New methods in atomic physics will then be discussed, including how they are excited and ionized, and how they can be trapped and cooled to very low temperatures. The application of cold atoms for metrology and for possible future quantum computing will then be detailed. On completion successful students will be able to: 1. Describe the structure of atoms, and how these are determined in experiments. 2. Detail the processes used to excite and ionize atoms using radiation. 3. Describe how atoms are cooled and trapped to very low temperatures. 4. Explain how cold atoms can be used to measure fundamental constants to high precision. 5. Discuss how cold atoms might be used in future quantum computers. 1. Historical overview of the evolution of atomic physics from early spectroscopy to the modern day. Key experiments and theoretical developments that have led to our present understanding of atoms and their structure. (3 lectures) 2. Interactions of atoms with radiation, and with charged particle beams. (3 lectures) 3. Excitation & ionization processes & how they are measured & described. (2 lectures) 4. The theoretical framework used to describe atom-laser interactions. (4 lectures) 5. Atomic cooling and trapping processes & techniques used for production of cold atoms. (4 lectures) 6. Applications of cold atoms to precision measurements & for future quantum computing. (6 lectures) 1 Written exam 100% Feedback will be available through worked examples during the lectures, with answers available through web pages, and through separate examples & solutions given throughout the course PHYS20312 Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHYS20352 Statistical Mechanics Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHYS30101 Applications of Quantum Physics Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHYS30201 Mathematical Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHYS30141 Electromagnetic Radiation Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHYS30441 Electrodynamics (M) Pre-Requisite Compulsory N Corney, A, Atomic & Laser Spectroscopy Blum, K., Density Matrix Theory and Applications Metcalf J.M. & van der Straten P, Laser Cooling & Trapping Foot C.J., Atomic Physics Assessment written exam 1.5 Lectures 22 0 76.5