Astronomical Spectroscopy: An Introduction To The Atomic And Molecular Physics Of Astronomical Spectra (Immperial College Press Advanced Physics Texts)

This Unique Book, Which Is Based On A Third-year Undergraduate Course Given By The Author At University College London, Presents The Basic Atomic And Molecular Physics Necessary To Understand And Interpret Astronomical Spectra. It Explains What Information Can Be Extracted From These Spectra And How, Extensive Use Is Made Of Contemporary Astronomical Spectral Data To Both Motivate The Study Of The Underlying Atomic Physics And To Illustrate The Results.--jacket. Preface -- Why Record Spectra Of Astronomical Objects? -- The Nature Of Spectra -- Atomic Hydrogen -- Complex Atoms -- Helium Spectra -- Alkali Atoms -- Spectra Of Nebulae -- X-ray Spectra -- Molecular Structure -- Molecular Spectra -- Solutions To Model Problems -- Further Readings And Bibliography -- Index. Jonathan Tennyson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. CONTENTS......Page 8 Preface......Page 6 1.1 A Historical Introduction......Page 12 1.2 What One Can Learn from Studying Spectra......Page 14 Problems......Page 17 2.1 Transitions......Page 18 2.2 Absorption and Emission......Page 19 2.4 Stimulated Emission......Page 21 2.5 Optical Depth......Page 22 2.6 Critical Density......Page 23 2.7 Wavelength or Frequency?......Page 24 2.8 The Electromagnetic Spectrum......Page 25 Problem......Page 27 3.2 The Schrodinger Equation of Hydrogen-Like Atoms......Page 28 3.3 Reduced Mass......Page 29 3.4 Atomic Units......Page 30 3.5 Wavefunctions for Hydrogen......Page 31 3.6 Energy Levels and Quantum Numbers......Page 32 3.7 H-Atom Discrete Spectra......Page 34 3.8.1 Balmer series......Page 41 3.8.2 Lyman series......Page 44 3.8.3 Infrared lines......Page 45 3.9.1 Processes......Page 46 3.9.2 H-atom emission in H II regions......Page 47 3.10 Radio Recombination Lines......Page 49 3.11 Radio Recombination Lines for Other Atoms......Page 51 3.12 Angular Momentum Coupling in the Hydrogen Atom......Page 54 3.13 The Fine Structure of Hydrogen......Page 55 3.14 Hyperfine Structure in the H Atom......Page 57 3.15 Allowed Transitions......Page 58 3.16 Hydrogen in Nebulae......Page 59 Problems......Page 60 4.1 General Considerations......Page 62 4.2 Central Field Model......Page 63 4.3 Indistinguishable Particles......Page 65 4.4 Electron Configurations......Page 66 4.5 The Periodic Table......Page 68 4.6 Ions......Page 69 4.7 Angular Momentum in Complex Atoms......Page 70 4.7.1 L–S or Russell–Saunders coupling......Page 71 4.7.2 j–j coupling......Page 72 4.8 Spectroscopic Notation......Page 73 4.10 Terms and Levels in Complex Atoms......Page 75 Problems......Page 78 5.1 He I and He II Spectra......Page 80 5.2 Selection Rules for Complex Atoms......Page 82 5.3 Observing Forbidden Lines......Page 85 5.4 Grotrian Diagrams......Page 86 5.5 Potential Felt by Electrons in Complex Atoms......Page 88 5.6 Emissions of Helium-Like Ions......Page 89 Problems......Page 91 6.1 Sodium......Page 92 6.2 Spin-Orbit Interactions......Page 95 6.3 Fine Structure Transitions......Page 99 6.4 Astronomical Sodium Spectra......Page 100 Ca II or potassium-like calcium......Page 104 Mg II or sodium-like magnesium......Page 105 C IV or lithium-like carbon......Page 107 Problems......Page 108 7.1 Nebulium......Page 110 7.2 The Bowen Mechanism......Page 115 7.3 Two Valence Electrons......Page 119 7.4 Autoionisation and Recombination......Page 121 Problems......Page 125 8. X-Ray Spectra......Page 127 8.1 The Solar Corona......Page 130 8.2 Isotope Effects......Page 131 Problems......Page 134 9. Molecular Structure......Page 135 9.1 The Born–Oppenheimer Approximation......Page 136 9.2 Electronic Structure of Diatomics......Page 137 9.2.1 Labelling of electronic states......Page 139 9.2.2 Symmetry......Page 141 9.3 Schrodinger Equation......Page 143 9.4 Fractionation......Page 148 9.5 Vibration–Rotation Energy Levels......Page 149 9.6.1 Rotational state populations......Page 152 9.6.2 Vibrational state populations......Page 154 Problems......Page 155 10.1 Selection Rules: Pure Rotational Transitions......Page 157 10.1.2 Rotational spectra of other molecules......Page 162 10.1.3 Rotational spectra of molecular hydrogen......Page 165 10.2 Vibrational Transitions......Page 166 10.2.1 Structure of the spectrum......Page 167 10.2.3 Hydrogen molecule vibrational spectra......Page 170 10.3.1 Selection rules......Page 172 10.3.2 Vibrational selection rules......Page 174 10.3.3 Rotational selection rules......Page 175 10.3.4 Transition frequencies......Page 176 10.3.5 Astronomical spectra......Page 177 10.4 Non-1 Electronic States......Page 180 10.5 Maser Emissions......Page 182 Problems......Page 184 Solutions to Model Problems......Page 185 Further Reading and Bibliography......Page 197 Index......Page 198 New Astronomical Spectroscopy (3rd Edition)Nearly all the information we know about the Universe comes from the study of light as it reaches us. The understanding of this information contained in light requires both telescopes capable of resolving light into its different component colors, as well as detailed knowledge of the quantum mechanical behavior of atoms and molecules. This unique book, which is based on a third-year undergraduate course given by the author at University College London, presents the basic atomic and molecular physics necessary to understand and interpret astronomical spectra. It explains what information can be extracted from these spectra and how. Extensive use is made of contemporary astronomical spectral data to both motivate the study of the underlying atomic physics and to illustrate the results. Nearly all information about the Universe comes from the study of light as it reaches us. However, understanding the information contained in this light requires both telescopes capable of resolving it into its component colours and a detailed knowledge of the quantum mechanical behaviour of atoms and molecules. This book, which is based on a third-year undergraduate course taught by the author at University College London, presents the basic atomic and molecular physics necessary to understand and interpret astronomical spectra. It explains how and what kind of information can be extracted from these spectra. Contemporary astronomical spectra are used extensively to study the underlying atomic physics and illustrate the results.--Publisher website. - No Directly Equivalent Book Available - Presents A Complete Introduction (based On A Successful Lecture Course) On The Atomic And Molecular Physics Necessary To Understand The Spectroscopy Of Astronomical Objects - Can Be Used As The Course Book For An Advanced Undergraduate/postgraduate Course, Or As An Introduction For People Studying Research Level Astrophysics