Atomic and Molecular Physics

The course focuses on the quantum-mechanical description of electronic structure in atoms, molecules, and larger systems. You will learn how to analyse and model one- and many-electron systems and to choose appropriate approximations – where the interplay between electronic structure and geometric structure is central and underpins the properties of matter from isolated atoms to the solid state. The course covers key concepts such as quantum states, symmetries, angular momentum, transitions, and spectra, as well as molecular bonding and motion using group theory and molecular orbitals. You will also study modern experimental methods and use quantum-chemical calculations with open-source software, providing insight into how theoretical and practical approaches are combined to investigate the physics of atoms and molecules.