Atomic Physics for Everyone: An Introduction to Atomic Physics, Quantum Mechanics, and Precision Spectroscopy with No College-Level Prerequisites
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Will Raven, Smith College
Copyright Year:
ISBN 13: 9783031695070
Publisher: Springer
Language: English
Formats Available
Conditions of Use
Attribution
CC BY
Table of Contents
- Part I: Atom-Light Interactions
- Chapter 1: Introduction to Atoms and Lights
- Chapter 2: "Natural Light"
- Chapter 3: Atoms at Rest
- Chapter 4: Atoms in Motion
- Chapter 5: Saturated Absorption Spectrosopy
- Part II: Digging Deeper: Quantum Mechanics and Beyond
- Chapter 6: Quantum Mechanics vs. Classical Physics
- Chapter 7: Angular Momentum
- Chapter 8: Electronic Signature and Atomic Notation
- Chapter 9: Hyperfine Structure
- Chapter 10: Isotope Shifts, Radioactive Decay, and the Nuclear Forces
- Chapter 11: The Standard Model of Particle Physics
- Appendix A: The Periodic Table
- Appendix B: A Table of Elements
- Appendix C: Transition Rules
- Glossary
- Index
Ancillary Material
Submit ancillary resourceAbout the Book
This open access textbook introduces beginning undergraduate students and high school students to the world of quantum mechanics and atomic spectroscopy. Requiring no previous knowledge of physics and no math beyond basic algebra and sines and cosines, this book focuses on concepts to make the excitement of atomic physics more accessible for learners than ever before. It comes replete with learning goals, exercises and solutions, and an optional experimental component, making this text readily adoptable for both the classroom and the undergraduate lab. The book takes the reader on a lively and engaging tour through topics at the forefront of current science, including photons, quantum numbers, atomic energy levels, some different spectroscopy techniques, electronic structure, atomic notation, angular momentum, hyperfine structure, isotope shifts, the strong force, an introduction to the Standard Model of Particle Physics, and more.
About the Contributors
Author
Prof. Raven joined the Smith College physics department in 2013. Since then, he has mentored over 70 undergraduate researchers, including 15 senior theses, and is passionate about creating research opportunities for students. He has published 11 peer-reviewed articles since 2018 and secured four NSF grants, including the prestigious CAREER award. He received the American Physical Society 2025 Prize for a Faculty Member for Research in an Undergraduate Institution in recognition of his contributions to undergraduate education and cutting-edge research. He has also won the Smith College Student Government Association’s (SGA) teaching award twice, once as a junior faculty member and once as a senior faculty member.
Prof. Raven, publishing name W.D. Williams, is a dedicated and accomplished researcher in the field of atomic and molecular spectroscopy, with a particular focus on high-precision measurements that test quantum electrodynamics (QED) and provide data critical for nuclear structure theory. His work involves the spectroscopy of neutral light atoms such as beryllium, boron, nitrogen, and oxygen, with a specific emphasis on improving transition frequencies and energy levels to advance theoretical models. Prof. Raven also conducts course-based research on lanthanides, offering students hands-on experience with advanced spectroscopic techniques.