This unit gives an understanding of the fundamental atomic physics that leads to the unique energy-level diagram (and consequent unique spectrum of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation that can be emitted and/or absorbed) for each atom in the periodic table. Hydrogen is a particularly important atom in this context because its theoretical description is the most complete of any atom. When many atoms are very close together in a crystalline solid, discrete energy levels spread into bands. This band structure is at the heart of how solids can be exploited, for example in semiconductor devices.
Specific topics covered include revision of wave mechanics, the physics of the hydrogen atom, solution of the 3D Schrodinger equation for the hydrogen atom, magnetic dipole moments, spin and transition rates, multi-electron atoms (ground states), multi-electron atoms (optical excitations), crystalline structure, bonding, lattice vibrations, lattice thermal energy, electrons in metals, band theory of solids, free-electron model, tight-binding model, semiconductors, semiconductor device physics.
