This book is an introduction to the physics of highly excited, easily perturbed or interacting atoms. The book begins with a brief introduction to the traditional view of electron shells and their properties, and then goes on to discuss Rydberg states, quantum defect theory, atomic f-values, centrifugal barrier effects, autoionisation, inner shell and double excitation spectra, K-matrix theory, atoms in high laser fields, statistical methods, quantum chaos, and atomic effects in solids. The emphasis is throughout on radial properties, orbital collapse, many body effects, the breakdown of the...

The study of chaos is today one of the most active and prolific areas in atomic physics. This book describes the manifestations of chaos in atoms and molecules, and is an introduction to this fascinating area. The first part of the book deals with the theory and principles of classical chaos, which are then applied to actual atomic and molecular physics systems in the second part of the book. The book covers microwave-driven surface state electrons, the hydrogen atom in a strong microwave field, the kicked hydrogen atom, chaotic scattering with CsI molecules and the helium atom. The book...

This graduate/research level text introduces the theory of multi-electron transitions in atomic, molecular and optical physics, emphasizing the emerging topic of dynamic electron correlation. The book begins with an overview of simple binomial probabilities, classical scattering theory, quantum scattering and correlation, followed by the theory of single electron transition probabilities. Multiple electron transition probabilities are then treated in detail. Various approaches to multiple electron transitions are covered including the independent electron approximation, useful statistical...

This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the field of low energy positrons and positronium within atomic and molecular physics. It begins with an introduction to the field, discussing the background to low energy positron beams, and then covers topics such as total scattering cross sections, elastic scattering, positronium formation, excitation and ionization, annihilation and positronium interactions. Each chapter contains a blend of theory and experiment, giving a balanced treatment of all the topics. The book will be useful for graduate students and researchers in...

The book reviews our present knowledge of collision-induced absorption of infrared radiation in dense gases. The book starts with a recapitulation of essential background information. Experimental results for the absorption spectra are next discussed. Then the causes and properties of dipole moments induced by molecular interactions are reviewed. Two following chapters present the theory of collision-induced absorption in monatomic gas mixtures and in molecular gases and mixtures. The final chapter discusses related phenomena and important applications in astrophysics. The book is a practical...

This book is a comprehensive introduction to electron-atom collisions, covering both theory and experiment. The interaction of electrons with atoms is the field that most deeply probes both the structure and reaction dynamics of a many-body system. The book begins with a short account of experimental techniques of cross-section measurement. It then introduces the essential quantum mechanics background needed. The following chapters cover one-electron problems (from the classic particle in a box to a relativistic electron in a central potential), the theory of atomic bound states, formal...

This book provides a comprehensive description of the physics of Rydberg atoms, highlighting their remarkable properties by reference to their behavior in a wide range of physical situations. Following an overview of the basic properties of Rydberg atoms, their interactions with electric and magnetic fields are analyzed in detail. The collisions of Rydberg atoms with neutral and charged species are described, and the use of multichannel quantum defect theory in the study of Rydberg atomic systems is discussed.

This book explains the theory and methods by which gas molecules can be polarized by light, a subject of considerable importance for what it tells us about the electronic structure of molecules and properties of chemical reactions. Starting with a brief review of molecular angular momentum, the text goes on to consider resonant absorption, fluorescence, photodissociation and photoionization, as well as collisions and static fields. A variety of macroscopic effects are considered, among them angular distribution and the polarization of emitted light, ground state depopulation, laser-induced...

This book describes the theory and practice of electron spectrometry using synchrotron radiation. After a short review of background theory, neon is used to elucidate the principles of the photoelectron and Auger spectra. The second part of the book looks at experimental aspects, including characteristic features of electrostatic analyzers, detectors, lenses, disturbances, and optimization, and then illustrates theory and experiment with details of recent experiments. The third part provides useful reference data, including wavefunctions, special theory, polarization and special aspects of...