Physics 443: Atomic & Nuclear Physics


Prerequisite: Physics 340
To be taught, fall 2003; offered every fall

This course is an extension of P340 (Introductory QM). We will discuss more methods & applications of quantum mechanics, and also discuss basic particles. The QM is straightforward and well understood. You will find, however, that the particle physics is a moving target. We will try to strike a balance between simply bug collecting, and a surfeit of math.

Text: Subatomic Physics, Frauenfelder & Henley, 2nd edition 1991.
And: Notes related to class lectures will appear on this site.



Some useful high-energy physics links:

The LBL Particle Data Group is the fundamental resource for particle properties (updated yearly). It is also a good source of constants, review articles, math tools, etc. One of their good pages is
Online particle physics information which is a good complication of web resources

The NRL Plasma Formulary is a good source of fundamental constants, basic electrodynamics, and atomic physics data, as well as fluid and plasma physics formulae.
Notes 0: dimensions
Notes 0: Maxwell
Notes 0: constants in cgs
Notes 0: constants in si


Course outline and schedule


Section I: PARTICLES AND BASIC QM TOOLS
Notes 1: the 4 forces
Notes 2: special relativity
Notes 3: creation/destruction ops
Notes 4: commutators & matrices
Notes 5: quarks & multiplets

Section II: SYMMETRIES AND CONSERVATION LAWS
Notes 6: fun from classical physics
Notes 7: more fun from classical physics

Section III: ANGULAR MOMENTUM AND ISOSPIN
Notes 8: Angular momentum
Notes 9: Spin 1/2

Section IV: P, C AND T
Notes 10: adding angular momenta

Section V: EM INTERACTIONS
Notes 11: simple perturbations
Notes 11a: simple perturbations, addenda
Notes 12: radiative transitions
Notes 13: photon emission

Section VI: QUARKS AND STRONG FORCES

Section VII: THE ASTROPARTICLE CONNECTION

Notes 14: the dark side of the universe


Added after the fact, homework and sample problems from 2003:
Problem set 1, Problem set 2, Problem set 3, Problem set 4, Problem set 5, Problem set 6, Problem set 7, Problem set 8, Problem set 9, Problem set 10, Problem set 11, Problem set 12
and
sample problems 1, sample problems 2, sample problems 3, sample problems 4, sample problems 5, sample problems 6, sample problems 7, sample problems 8, sample problems 9, sample problems 10, sample problems 11, sample problems 12

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