This text is primarily intended to accompany an advanced undergraduate course in atomic physics. However, the elementary atomic physics covered in the early chapters should be accessible to undergraduates when they are first introduced to the subject. The book describes some of the latest advances and the applications to Bose-Einstein condensation of atoms, matter-wave interferometry and quantum computing with trapped ions. To complement the usual quantum mechanical treatment of atomic structure the book strongly emphasizes the experimental basis of the subject, especially in the later chapters.

Table of Contents

1. Early Atomic Physics; 2. The Hydrogen Atom; 3. Helium; 4. The Alkalis; 5. The LS-coupling scheme; 6. Hyperfine Structure and Isotope Shift; 7. The Interaction of Atoms with Radiation; 8. Doppler-free Laser Spectroscopy; 9. Laser cooling and trapping; 10. Magnetic trapping, Evaporative cooling and BEC; 11. Atom Interferometry; 12. Ion Traps; 13. Quantum Computing

Reviews

"An altogether useful, enjoyable book that can be used a resource, course text, and introduction to modern atomic research topics."--CHOICE

"Foot presents a textbook for an undergraduate course in atomic physics for students who understand quantum mechanics at the level of an introductory university course, including the Schr dinger equation in three dimensions and perturbation theory. After describing the basic principles of atomic structures and reviewing the classical ideas, he discusses laser spectroscopy, laser cooling, the Bose-Einstein condensation of dilute atomic vapors, matter-wave interferometry, and ion trapping."--SciTech Book News