North Carolina A&T
State University
Department of physics
Spring
2005
COURSE: PHYS
735: Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Nanosystems
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Solomon
Bililign
Marteena Hall #101
EX. 7733;
Email: Bililign@ncat.edu
TIME:
MWF
8:00- 9:50 AM
PLACE:
Marteena #310
OFFICE HOURS:
MW 3:15-4:15 PM or by appointment
TEXT:
T-1 Physics of Atoms and Molecules,
2nd Edition
Bransden and
Joachain
T-2 Nanophysics and
Nanotechnology: An introduction to modern concepts
in nanoscience. Edward L. Wolf
REFERENCES:
Nanoparticles,
Wiley, by Schmidt (ed)
Nanosystems,
Wiley, by Drexler
COURSE POLICY:
Homework:
Homework
problems will be assigned every week. Home works are an important part
of the
evaluation process.
Exams:
There
will be one exams and a final in this course. The days of the exam will
be
announced a week in advance.
Grading:
The distribution of grades is as follows
Home
works.......................... 50%
Exams
.................................... 50%
BACKGROUND:
Two semesters of calculus based general physics course and
modern physics is the minimum requirement to succeed and understand the
course.
A background in at least a semester of quantum mechanics is
advantageous.
The field of atomic and
molecular physics is not only fascinating field with respect to the
development
of far-reaching new physical ideas. It is also of enormous importance
as a
basis for other fields. It provides chemistry with a conceptual basis
through
the quantum theory of chemical bonding. Modern solid-state physics with
its
numerous applications in communication and computer technology rests on
the
fundamental concepts first developed in atomic and quantum physics.
Among other
important technical applications, we mention the laser.
Technology has to do with
the application of scientific knowledge to the economic (profitable)
production
of Goods and services. The smallest devices in nature possible are in
the
interest of nanophysics. Physical behavior at the nanonanometer scale
is
predicted accurately by quantum mechanics. It provides a quantitative
understanding of the structure and properties of atoms. Chemical
matter,
molecules, even the cells of biology, being made of atoms, is therefore
in
principle accurately described (given enough computing power) by
quantum
physics.
The problems of atomic
physics, which are of current interest in research, are:
-An increasingly detailed
description of the structure of electronic shells of atoms and their
excitations.
-The interaction between
atoms and radiation fields, in view of their application in optical
pumping,
manipulating, and trapping of atoms and the Bose-Einstein Condensate.
-The physics principles
governing matter smaller than macroscopic objects but larger than
molecules, is
of interest to nanotechnology where the properties of matter is
governed by a
complex combination of classical physics and quantum mechanics.
After a brief review of
quantum mechanics, this course covers the physics of atoms and molecules
Followed by nanophysics and
introduction to modern concepts in nanoscience.
THE COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1.
Summarize
the relevant concepts, postulates and approximation techniques of
quantum
mechanics
2.
Apply
quantum mechanics of 1-electron atoms to many electron atoms
3.
Apply
and use quantum mechanics approximations to describe the physics of
molecules,
molecular spectra.
4.
Show
the transition of relevant physical laws from classical to quantum
mechanical
laws of nanophysics as size approaches atomic scale.
5.
To
provide understanding of quantum rules and the relation of the wave
particle
nature of light and matter as the key to understanding deviations of
behavior
of devices and machines that will appear as dimensions are reduced
towards the
atomic size.
6.
To
help professionals in nanotechnology understand and exploit changes in
physical
behavior that occur at the end of the classical scaling range, i.e.
size scale
of atoms and molecules.
Course Outline.
|
Date |
Chapter/Section |
Topic |
|
Week 1 |
T-1
Chapter 2 |
Elements of
Quantum Mechanics 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 |
|
Week 2 |
T-1 Chapter 2 |
Elements of
Quantum Mechanics 2-4, 2-5, 2-6 |
|
Week 3, |
T-1 Chapter 2 |
Elements of
Quantum Mechanics 2-6, 2-7,
2-8, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 |
|
Week 4,5 |
T-1
Chapter 7 |
Two electron
atoms 7-1 to 7-6 |
|
Week 6 |
T-1 Chapter 8 |
Many electron
atoms 8-1 to 8-6 |
|
Week 7,8 |
T-1 Chapter 10 |
Molecular
Structure 10-1 – 10.5 |
|
Week 9,10 |
T-1 Chapter 11 |
Molecular
Spectra 11-1 to 11.3 |
|
Week 10,11 |
T-2 Chapter 3 |
Limits of
smallness |
|
Week 12 |
T-2 Chapter 4 |
Quantum
nature of the nanoworld |
|
Week 13,14 |
T-2 Chapter 5 |
Quantum
Consequences for the Macroworld |
|
Week 15 |
T-2 Chapter 6 |
Self-Assembled
nanostructures in nature and industry |
|
Week 16 |
T-2 Chapter 7 |
Looking into
the future |