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Description
This is a graduate-level course in quantum
mechanics and its application to atomic and molecular systems
and spectroscopy. We review such mathematical prerequisites as
complex vector spaces, eigenvectors and eigenvalues,
operators, inner products, dual spaces, and
commutators. We then discuss the history and scope of
quantum mechanics and the fundamental postulates. This
framework is then applied to some simple illustrative
problems such as the particle in a box, the free particle,
and the harmonic oscillator. We discuss
angular momentum and solve the rigid rotor
and hydrogen atom problems. These model systems are used
to explain the electronic spectroscopy of atoms and linear polyenes,
rotational (microwave) spectroscopy, and vibrational (IR) spectroscopy.
Approximate methods are considered next (the variational method and
perturbation theory). The course briefly discusses spin and its
application to ESR spectroscopy. An introduction is provided
into the details of the interaction of light with matter. Electronic
structure of atoms and molecules and the Born-Oppenheimer approximation
is discussed, along with rovibrational spectroscopy and the
Franck-Condon approximation.
Meetings: Tues/Thurs 9:30-11:00, Boggs 3-46
Syllabus
HTML Format
PDF Format
Required Textbooks
Recommended Textbooks
Supplementary Books of Possible Interest
Problem Sets
Problem Set 1
Problem Set 2
Problem Set 3
Problem Set 4
Problem Set 5
Problem Set 6 (practice only)
Problem Set 7
Problem Set 8 (practice only)
Notes
Announcements