Atoms, Molecules and Photons: An Introduction to Atomic-, Molecular- and Quantum Physics

Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

Wolfgang Demtröder

Luca Salasnich

Preface 1. Atoms and Photons 2. Waves and Particles 3. Simple Systems 4. Principles of Quantum Mechanics 5. Harmonic Oscillator 6. Angular Momentum 7. Hydrogen Atom 8. Helium Atom 9. Atomic Structure 10. The Chemical Bond 11. Diatomic Molecule Orbitals 12. Polyatomic Molecules 13. Molecular Symmetry 14. Molecular Spectroscopy 15. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 16. Wonders of the Quantum World Suggested References Answers to Exercises

John Avery

Roth Bernhard

One of the current themes in quantum physics is the creation of cold ( 1 K) molecules to study molecule-molecule, molecule-atom, and molecule-radiation interactions under these novel low-temperature conditions. This book highlights the field of cold trapped molecular ions. In particular, the development of a novel, universal cooling method for charged particles, sympathetic cooling using laser-cooled atoms, together with the experimental and computational techniques required are extensively reviewed. The book also reviews first spectacular applications of the cold ion ensembles produced: the study of the properties of cold non-neutral plasmas, the study of ion-neutral chemical reactions and of photodissociation processes, and high-resolution rotational overtone spectroscopy of cold hydrogen molecular ions with unprecedented spectral resolution. The large potential of this field of research and its possible impact to other fields of physics, chemistry, and biology are highlighted. The book summarizes the main lines of research in cold trapped molecular ion physics, thus, making it useful as an introduction for advanced students and experienced researchers.