Molecular Physics

Description:
The richly illustrated book comprehensively explains the important principles of diatomic and polyatomic molecules and their spectra in two separate, distinct parts. The first part concentrates on the theoretical aspects of molecular physics, such as the vibration, rotation, electronic states, potential curves, and spectra of molecules. The different methods of approximation for the calculation of electronic wave functions and their energy are also covered. The introduction of basics terms used in group theory and their meaning in molecular physics enables an elegant description of polyatomic molecules and their symmetries. Molecular spectra and the dynamic processes involved in their excited states are given its own chapter. The theoretical part then concludes with a discussion of the field of Van der Waals molecules and clusters. The second part is devoted entirely to experimental techniques, such as laser, Fourier, NMR, and ESR spectroscopies, used in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, and material science. Time resolved measurements and the influence of chemical reactions by coherent controls are also treated. A list of general textbooks and specialized literature is provided for further reading. With specific examples, definitions, and notes integrated within the text to aid understanding, this is suitable for undergraduates and graduates in physics and chemistry with a knowledge of atomic physics and familiar with the basics of quantum mechanics.

Review:
'...a well-written work that treats all the usual topics with clarity and rigor that make it suitable for graduate students in physics and physical chemistry.' (CHOICE, November 2006)

Table of Contents:
Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Molecules Electronic States. 3. Rotation, Vibration, and Potential Curves of Diatomic Molecules. 4. Spectra of Diatomic Molecules. 5. Molecule Symmetries and Group Theory. 6. Rotation and Vibrations of Polyatomic Molecules. 7. Electronic States of Polyatomic Molecules. 8. Spectra of Polyatomic Molecules. 9. Breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer-Approximation, Perturbations in Molecular Spectra. 10. Molecules in External Fields. 11. Van der Waals Molecules and Clusters. 12. Experimental Techniques in Molecular Physics. Appendix: Charcter Tables of Some Point Groups. Bibliography. Index.

Author Biography:
Professor Wolfgang Demtroder studied physics and mathematics, and received his PhD degree in 1961 from the University of Bonn. After working as an assistant professor and researcher at the University of Freiburg until 1967, he went as a visiting fellow to JILA in Boulder, Colorado. In 1970 he accepted a post as full professor at the newly founded University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, where he still works. Professor Demtroder was awarded the Max-Born-Award of the English and German Physical Society in 1995. He is the author of about 150 scientific papers and several books.