Atomic physics: An exploration through problems and solutions

This book provides a bridge between the basic principles of physics learned as an undergraduate and the skills and knowledge required for advanced study and research in the exciting field of atomic physics. The text is organized in a unique and versatile format --- as a collection of problems, hints, detailed solutions, and in-depth tutorials. This enables the reader to open the book at any page and get a solid introduction to subjects on the cutting edge of atomic physics, such as frequency comb metrology, tests of fundamental symmetries with atoms, atomic magnetometers, atom trapping and cooling, and Bose-Einstein condensates. The text also includes problems and tutorials on important basics that every practicing atomic physicist should know, but approached from the perspective of experimentalists: formal calculations are avoided where possible in favor of 'back-of-the-envelope' estimates, symmetry arguments, and physical analogies. The 2nd edition contains over 10 new problems, and includes important updates, revisions, and corrections of several problems of the 1st edition.

Table of Contents:
1: Atomic Structure 2: Atoms in External Fields 3: Interaction of Atoms with Light 4: Interaction of Light with Atoms in External Fields 5: Atomic Collisions 6: Cold Atoms 7: Molecules 8: Experimental Methods 9: Miscellaneous Topics A: Units, conversion factors, and typical values B: Reference data for hydrogen and alkali atoms C: Spectroscopic notation for atoms and diatomic molecules D: Description of polarization states of light E: Euler angles and rotation matrices F: The Wigner-Eckart theorem and irreducible tensors G: The density matrix H: Elements of the Feynman diagram technique Appendix I: The 3-J and 6-J symbols

About the Author :
Dmitry Budker Department of Physics University of California at Berkeley Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley (1993), American Physical Society Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Research in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (1994), National Science Foundation Career Award (1998), Miller Research Professorship (2002-2003), Elected Fellow of the American Physical Society (2005), R&D 100 Award for Laser Detected Magnetic-Resonance Imaging (2007). Derek F. Kimball Department of Physics California State University - East Bay Ph. D. from the University of California at Berkeley (2005), Departmental Citation in Physics, University of California at Berkeley (1998). David P. DeMille Physics Department Yale University Ph. D. from the University of California at Berkeley (1994), Elected Fellow of the American Physical Society (2005), Francis M. Pipkin Award (2007).

Review :
'A remarkable book, indeed, greatly exceeding our expectations. [...] The authors are truly taken by the logic, beauty, and harmonious diversity of atomic-physics phenomena and are offering to share their knowledge and insights with the reader.' From Preface to the Russian edition, by V.S. Zapaskii (translator) and E.B. Alexandrov (editor)