402-2883-00L  Physics III

SemesterAutumn Semester 2019
LecturersU. Keller
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionGerman


AbstractIntroductory course on quantum and atomic physics including optics and statistical physics.
ObjectiveA basic introduction to quantum and atomic physics, including basics of optics and equilibrium statistical physics. The course will focus on the relation of these topics to experimental methods and observations.
ContentEvidence for Quantum Mechanics: atoms, photons, photo-electric effect, Rutherford scattering, Compton scattering, de-Broglie waves.

Quantum mechanics: wavefunctions, operators, Schrodinger's equation, infinite and finite square well potentials, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atoms, spin.

Atomic structure: Perturbation to basic structure, including Zeeman effect, spin-orbit coupling, many-electron atoms. X-ray spectra, optical selection rules, emission and absorption of radiation, including lasers.

Optics: Fermat's principle, lenses, imaging systems, diffraction, interference, relation between geometrical and wave descriptions, interferometers, spectrometers.

Statistical mechanics: probability distributions, micro and macrostates, Boltzmann distribution, ensembles, equipartition theorem, blackbody spectrum, including Planck distribution
Lecture notesLecture notes will be provided electronically during the course.
LiteratureQuantum mechanics/Atomic physics/Molecules: "The Physics of Atoms and Quanta", H. Hakan and H. C. Wolf, ISBN 978-3-642-05871-4

Optics: "Optics", E. Hecht, ISBN 0-321-18878-0

Statistical mechanics: "Statistical Physics", F. Mandl 0-471-91532-7