This course will survey topics in modern AMO theory with an emphasis on applications in Rydberg systems, including:
The course will introduce several different theoretical and numerical approaches to solving problems in AMO theory. Most of the key concepts will be taught using modern research problems as a basis.
Background experience in quantum mechanics, mathematical methods, and computational physics will be assumed; background knowledge in AMO physics will be helpful but topics will be taught without relying on too much background knowledge.
Very useful references and background reading:
Harald Friedrich: Theoretical Atomic Physics and Scattering Theory
Fano and Rau, Atomic Collisions and Spectra
Tom Gallagher, Rydberg Atoms
Your favorite quantum mechanics textbooks: I like C. Cohen-Tannoudji, Sakurai, Griffiths, ...
Course location:
To register: via e-mail at meiles@pks.mpg.de
Course requirements: participation in class discussions (70% attendance at minimum!) and in a final project.
Details of the project: TBD
Course syllabus:
Date | Tentative Topic(s) | Notes |
April 8 | Introduction & Preliminaries / history of Rydberg physics / Hydrogen atom. Lecture 1 Notes. | |
April 15 | SuperSymmetric quantum mechanics. Lecture 2 Notes. | |
April 22 | Coulomb scattering. Lecture 3 Notes. | |
April 29 | Coulomb scattering cont'd and quantum defect theory. Lecture 3/4 Notes. | |
May 6 | Special class: Alper lecturing on BECs. | |
May 13 | ||
May 20 | Pentacost | No lecture |
May 27 | ||
June 3 | ||
June 10 | ||
June 17 | ||
June 24 | ||
July 1 | ||
July 8 | ||
July 15 | ||