Nanoparticles, Wiley, by Schmidt (ed)
Nanosystems, Wiley, by Drexler

THE COURSE: INTRODUCTION :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 nonanotechnology 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.

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.

Course Outline.