Welcome to the Canvas information page for the course

Atomic and Molecular Physics, 7.5 credits

given by the Department of Physics.

Please note: This page contains only general information about the course. It does not contain any course material. If you are a student on the course you have to log in to the Canvas portal in the site navigation to find the courses of your programme.

Apply to the course!

Content

This course will give you fundamental knowledge of the structure of atoms and molecules and their interactions with electromagnetic radiation. The course illustrates the role of quantum mechanics as the fundamental theory for the description of the microscopic world. In the experimental part you will work with important spectroscopic techniques. The course is closely related to different active research areas in Lund and beyond, both within fundamental atomic physics as well as applications within laser physics, synchrotron radiation physics, molecular physics, astrophysics and surface physics as a very large, active and wide research area in Lund and beyond.

The course will also train your problem-solving skills and your ability to write scientific reports.

The assessment of the course is continuous and consists of:

Written exam (may be complemented with an oral discussion), 5 credits
Laboratory projects, 1.5 credits
Numerical project, 0.5 credits
Workshop on climate, 0.5 credits
Self reflection, 0 credits

General information

Semester: spring (from 2024 only in spring)
Study period: first
Level: first cycle
Language: English
Forms of teaching: lectures, workshops, exercises, spectroscopy project, laboratory sessions, and computer project
Grading scale: Fail, Pass, Pass with distinction (U, G, VG); some assessments include only scale Failed and Passed
Course evaluation: Read the course evaluations on the website of the Department of Physics

Syllabus

Click below links to read the course syllabi on Lund University's central website:

Assessment

written examination (either home exam or in examination hall),
compulsory participation in spectroscopic project, labs, numerical projects, workshops and self-reflection,
written reports on projects, labs, workshop and self-reflection.

Course literature

Atomic and molecular physics

These covers most of the course material. We recommend either Foot or Thorne et al.:

Foot C. J., Atomic Physics, Oxford University Press
Thorne A., Litzén U. and Johansson S., Spectrophysics: Principles and Applications, Springer Verlag.
Haken H. and Wolf H. C., The Physics of Atoms and Quanta, Springer Verlag (The Physics of Atoms and Quanta is available as an e-book from the university library)

This is a book on advanced level (Masters) but could be use as reference literature:

Demtröder W., Atoms, Molecules and Photons, Springer Verlag (Molecules and Photons is available as an e-book from the university library)
Bransden B.H. and Joachain C.J., Physics of Atoms and Molecules.

Quantum mechanics

Ohlén, G, Phenomena of the quantum world
Cohen-Tannoudji C., Diu B., and Laloë F., Quantum Mechanics

Course coordinator

Tomas Brage, tomas.brage@fysik.lu.se

Schedule

The schedule for the course can be found on the schedule software TimeEdit:

Enter FYSB24 in the search box on TimeEdit.

Entry requirements

General and 45 credits of the following, or equivalent, courses: FYSA12 15 hp, FYSA13 7,5 hp, FYSA14 7,5 hp, FYSB21 7,5 hp, FYSB22 7,5 hp, MATA21 15 hp, MATA22 7,5 hp, NUMA01 7,5 hp, MATB21 7,5 hp, and MATB22 7,5 hp.

Application

Apply to the course through the Swedish website Antagning.se (in Swedish).

More information about applying can be found on Lund University's central website: FYSB24 course information.
For non-Swedish speakers, please refer to below instructions in order to apply to the course.
Instructions in English for applying to programmes and courses (pdf, 791 kB).

Read more

Do you have questions? Please contact us at studentadministration@fysik.lu.se