A Student's Guide to Atomic Physics

'Today a thorough understanding of atomic and molecular physics is surely a prerequisite for a career in astrophysics, especially now that the entire electromagnetic spectrum of many astronomical objects may be open to quantitative examination. Given the need for a sound understanding, the question becomes, how are students to develop a serious interest in atomic and molecular physics? This book by Mark Fox deserves consideration for an atomic-physics course taken by physics (and other) students in the second half of their undergraduate career ... I welcome this book for its clear exposition of the basic ideas on atomic structure and spectra. ... The health of spectroscopic astrophysics demands that young bright minds are brought into the field in every generation. Texts like that by Mark Fox have a crucial role to play in this context.' David L. Lambert, The Observatory 'Well-chosen worked examples are liberally sprinkled through all the chapters. This is an invaluable aid to the reader ... The text is clear to read and understand, and only a basic understanding of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism is required ... The harder mathematical concepts are hidden away in Appendices, so they are still available for the more intrepid reader, but do not spoil the flow of the main text ... I would agree that the material is pitched at the second or third year of a UK undergraduate physics course, but it would also be useful for specialists in other fields starting out in the world of atomic physics.' Stephen H. Ashworth, Contemporary Physics 'This is a well-constructed book with a great many exercises at the end of each chapter. These exercises are of tremendous value, enabling students to solve a wide variety of problems in the subject. I would recommend this book for anyone who wanted a basic understanding of atomic physics.' Trevor Bailey, Mathematics Today 'Today a thorough understanding of atomic and molecular physics is surely a prerequisite for a career in astrophysics, especially now that the entire electromagnetic spectrum of many astronomical objects may be open to quantitative examination. Given the need for a sound understanding, the question becomes, how are students to develop a serious interest in atomic and molecular physics? This book by Mark Fox deserves consideration for an atomic-physics course taken by physics (and other) students in the second half of their undergraduate career ... I welcome this book for its clear exposition of the basic ideas on atomic structure and spectra. ... The health of spectroscopic astrophysics demands that young bright minds are brought into the field in every generation. Texts like that by Mark Fox have a crucial role to play in this context.' David L. Lambert, The Observatory 'Well-chosen worked examples are liberally sprinkled through all the chapters. This is an invaluable aid to the reader ... The text is clear to read and understand, and only a basic understanding of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism is required ... The harder mathematical concepts are hidden away in Appendices, so they are still available for the more intrepid reader, but do not spoil the flow of the main text ... I would agree that the material is pitched at the second or third year of a UK undergraduate physics course, but it would also be useful for specialists in other fields starting out in the world of atomic physics.' Stephen H. Ashworth, Contemporary Physics 'This is a well-constructed book with a great many exercises at the end of each chapter. These exercises are of tremendous value, enabling students to solve a wide variety of problems in the subject. I would recommend this book for anyone who wanted a basic understanding of atomic physics.' Trevor Bailey, Mathematics Today