Teaching
Rydberg Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Ultracold Gases (WiSe 2023/24)
This course will survey topics in modern AMO theory with an emphasis on applications in Rydberg systems, including:
- Interactions in ultracold gases
- Bose-Einstein condensates
- Multichannel scattering theory (in particular, multichannel quantum defect theory used for complex Rydberg spectra)
- Adiabatic methods for nonseparable quantum problems
- Supersymmetric quantum mechanics
- Atoms in external fields
- ...and much more.
The course will introduce several different theoretical and numerical approaches to solving problems in AMO theory. Most of the key concepts will be taught using modern research problems as a basis.
Background experience in quantum mechanics, mathematical methods, and computational physics will be assumed; background knowledge in AMO physics will be helpful but topics will be taught without relying on too much background knowledge.
Very useful references and background reading:
Harald Friedrich: Theoretical Atomic Physics and Scattering Theory
Fano and Rau, Atomic Collisions and Spectra
Tom Gallagher, Rydberg Atoms
Your favorite quantum mechanics textbooks: I like C. Cohen-Tannoudji, Sakurai, Griffiths, ...
Course location:
- spatial: MPI-PKS room 1D1
- temporal: Mondays 11:10-12:40
To register: via e-mail at meiles@pks.mpg.de
Course requirements: participation in class discussions (70% attendance at minimum!) and in a final project.
Details of the "project": TBD
Course syllabus:
| Date | Topic(s) | Notes |
| October 9 | Introduction & Preliminaries / history of Rydberg physics. Lecture 1 Notes. | |
| October 16 | Hydrogen atom / SuperSymmetric quantum mechanics. Lecture 2 Notes. | |
| October 23 | Class Postponed (tba makeup class). Intermediate review notes. | |
| October 30 | SuperSymmetric quantum mechanics / Coulomb Scattering. Lecture 4 Notes. | |
| November 6 | Coulomb Scattering / Single-channel quantum defect theory. Lecture 5 Notes. | |
| November 13 | Normalization topics and oscillator strengths. Lecture 6 Notes. | |
| November 20 | Low-energy behavior / threshold laws. Lecture 7 Notes. | |
| November 27 | Scattering length / Fermi pseudopotential. Lecture 8 Notes. | |
| December 4 | Nonseparable quantum mechanics / trilobites. | |
| December 11 | Dispersion forces, polarization, and long-range interactions. | |
| December 18 | Multichannel Quantum Defect Theory introduction | |
| December 25 | Christmas | No lecture |
| January 1 | New Years Day | No lecture |
| January 8 | ||
| January 15 | ||
| January 22 | ||
| January 29 |