A Student's Guide to Atomic Physics

This concise and accessible book provides a detailed introduction to the fundamental principles of atomic physics at an undergraduate level. Concepts are explained in an intuitive way and the book assumes only a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. With a compact format specifically designed for students, the first part of the book covers the key principles of the subject, including the quantum theory of the hydrogen atom, radiative transitions, the shell model of multi-electron atoms, spin-orbit coupling, and the effects of external fields. The second part provides an introduction to the four key applications of atomic physics: lasers, cold atoms, solid-state spectroscopy and astrophysics. This highly pedagogical text includes worked examples and end of chapter problems to allow students to test their knowledge, as well as numerous diagrams of key concepts, making it perfect for undergraduate students looking for a succinct primer on the concepts and applications of atomic physics.

Mark Fox is a Professor of Physics at the University of Sheffield. He is also a Fellow of the Optical Society of America, and the Institute of Physics. His research focuses on optics and photonics, and he specialises in solid-state atoms and quantum dots. He has authored two highly successful books: Optical Properties of Solids (2nd edition, 2010) and Quantum Optics: An Introduction (2005).