Precision Physics of Simple Atoms and Molecules: 745 (Lecture Notes in Physics, 745) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3642094724 ISBN 13: 9783642094729

Publisher: Springer, 2010

Synopsis

The study of simple atoms and molecules permits unique confrontations - tweenfundamentaltheoryandprecisionmeasurements.Ithasplayedacentral role in many early discoveries that laid the foundations of quantum physics. Since computational and experimental tools are still evolving rapidly, intri- ing opportunities for future research continue to emerge. How could precision measurements uncover limits of the standard model? Howcanweimprovetheaccuracyoffundamentalconstants?Arefundamental constants really constant? How could we detect possible di?erences between matter and antimatter? How can we overcome the problem of hadronic str- ture in precision tests of quantum electrodynamic theory? How well can QED predict the energy levels of atoms with few electrons? What new physics can be discovered in experiments with exotic atoms? How well do we understand simple molecules? These are just a few of the questions that are now moving into a new focus. This volume collects contributions from experts at the frontier of atomic and molecular precision physics. It illustrates the current state of the art, points at future opportunities, and emphasizes an exciting frontier in atomic and molecular physics that remains as important as ever despite severalother strong currents and fashions in the ?eld. Since I have devoted more than three decades of my career to precision laser spectroscopy of the simple hydrogen atom, I am particularly grateful to the editor, Dr Savely G. Karshenboim, for his initiative to highlight such precision studies of simple atoms and molecules.

About this title

About the Author

Savely G. Karhsenboim is a member of CODATA task group on fundamental constants (the group which produces internationally recognized values of the fundamental constants), cochairman of series conferences on simple atoms (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006), coeditor of three books previously published by Springer, author or recent review in Physics reports (2005) on Precision physics of simple atoms.

From the Back Cover

This is the third in a series of topical-review volumes about the precision physics of simple atoms all published in LNP. The simplicity of atoms allows one to use them as a tool to explore effects beyond atomic physics ranging from fundamental constants and fundamental symmetries to particle and nuclear properties. This volume, like its predecessors, presents multidisciplinary treatments of important areas and new developments within precision physics. It concentrates on new topics and those not treated in the previous volumes. For example, on the proton structure and its effects on the energy levels, on simple molecules, on atoms somewhat more complicated than hydrogen (such as lithium), on exotic atoms and atoms with exotic nuclei.

The book includes a foreword by Nobel Prize Laureate Theodor Hänsch.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3642094724
• ISBN 13: 9783642094729
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 300
• Editor: Karshenboim Savely G.