Theoretical Atomic Physics, Second Edition (Advanced Texts in Physics)

Atomic physics is a pioneering discipline at the forefront of theoretical and experimental physics. It has played a major role in advancing our understanding of chaotic systems. The 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for progress in cooling atoms to extremely low temperatures. This new edition of Theoretical Atomic Physics takes into account recent developments and includes sections on semiclassical periodic orbit theory, scaling properties for atoms in external fields, threshold behaviour of ionization cross sections, classical and quantum dynamics of two-electron atoms, and Bose-Einstein condensation of atomic gases. Moreover, for students there are 48 problems with complete solutions which makes this course the most thorough introduction to the field available. This edition takes into account developments such as semiclassical theory, periodic orbit theory, scaling properties for atoms in external fields, threshold behaviour of ionization cross sections, and classical and quantum dynamics of two-electron atoms. Problems and solutions are included. Atomic phenomena are described mainly on the basis of non-relativistic quantum mechanics.