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This book provides a bridge between the basic principles of physics learned as an undergraduate and the skills and knowledge required for advanced study and research in the exciting field of atomic physics. The text is organized in a unique and versatile format - as a collection of problems, hints, detailed solutions, and in-depth tutorials. This enables the reader to open the book at any page and get a solid introduction to subjects on the cutting edge of atomic physics, such as frequency comb metrology, tests of fundamental symmetries with atoms, atomic magnetometers, atom trapping and cooling, and Bose-Einstein condensates.
The text also includes problems and tutorials on important basics that every practicing atomic physicist should know, but approached from the perspective of experimentalists: formal calculations are avoided where possible in favor of 'back-of-the-envelope' estimates, symmetry arguments, and physical analogies. The second edition contains over 10 new problems, and includes important updates, revisions, and corrections of several problems of the first edition.
1. Atomic Structure; 2. Atoms in External Fields; 3. Interaction of Atoms with Light; 4. Interaction of Light with Atoms in External Fields; 5. Atomic Collisions; 6. Cold Atoms; 7. Molecules; 8. Experimental Methods; 9. Miscellaneous Topics; A. Units, conversion factors, and typical values; B. Reference data for hydrogen and alkali atoms; C. Spectroscopic notation for atoms and diatomic molecules; D. Description of polarization states of light; E. Euler angles and rotation matrices; F. The Wigner-Eckart theorem and irreducible tensors; G. The density matrix; H. Elements of the Feynman diagram technique; APPENDIX I: THE 3-J AND 6-J SYMBOLS
'A remarkable book, indeed, greatly exceeding our expectations. [...] The authors are truly taken by the logic, beauty, and harmonious diversity of atomic-physics phenomena and are offering to share their knowledge and insights with the reader.' From Preface to the Russian edition, by V.S. Zapaskii (translator) and E.B. Alexandrov (editor)
