Atomic Physics: An Exploration through Problems and Solutions [Paperback]

Dmitry Budker (Author), Derek F. Kimball (Author), David P. DeMille (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198509502 | ISBN-13: 978-0198509509 | Publication Date: February 12, 2004

This book is intended for advanced undergraduate, graduate students and researchers who are interested in Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) Physics. Written as a collection of problems, hints and solutions, the book will provide help in learning about both fundamental and applied aspects of this vast field of knowledge, where rapid and exciting developments are currently taking place. The authors tough upon a broad spectrum of phenomena and techniques and adopt an experimentalist's approach, by avoiding formal calculations whenever possible in favor of "back-of-the-envelope" estimates, symmetry arguments and physical analogies. While complete coverage of all AMO Physics is not attempted, there are chapters on atomic structure, behavior of atoms and molecules in external electromagnetic fields, atomic collisions and experimental techniques. Special attention is given to a discussion of ideas and experimental methods in several "hot areas", a few of these being cold atoms and Bose-Einstein condensates, tests of fundamental symmetries, atomic magnetometers and frequency comb metrology with ultra-short laser pulses.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A physics book that is a pleasure to read."--Choice

"Budker (physics, University of California-Berkeley) provides problems and solutions to reinforce fundamental and applied aspects of atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics. Intended for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers, the book touches on a broad spectrum of phenomena and techniques and adopts an experimentalist's approach by avoiding formal calculations whenever possible in favor of estimates, symmetry arguments, and physical analogies."--SciTech Book News

About the Author

Dmitry Budker is Associate Professor of Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, USA. Derek Kimball is a graduate research assistant in physics at the University of California, Berkeley, USA David DeMille is Associate Professor of Physics at Yale University, New Haven, USA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198509502
• ISBN-13: 978-0198509509
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,199,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for atomic physicists and all physics graduate students, May 12, 2007

By 

CHIH-HAO LI (boston , ma, usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Atomic Physics: An Exploration through Problems and Solutions (Paperback)

This book has most useful practical problem sets about atomic physics. All the problems are related to real experiments. One can learn both theories and experimental methods from them. Most importantly, this book provides lots of useful "numbers" that a physicists should memorize.

For physics graduate students, reading this book is a good way to review what you have learned in quantum mechanics class and to prepare for prelim qualifying exams.