Precision Physics of Simple Atoms and Molecules

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.

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
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.

Klappentext

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.

Inhalt
Looking Through Simple Atoms and Molecules at Fundamental Physics.- Looking Through Simple Atoms and Molecules at Fundamental Physics.- Precision Measurements and Fundamental Constants.- The Muon g: Status and Perspectives.- Guide for Atomic and Particle Physicists to CODATA's Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants.- Proton Structure and Hydrogen Energy Levels.- Precise Radii of Light Nuclei from Electron Scattering.- Nucleon Form Factor Measurements in Mainz: Past and Future.- Proton Structure Corrections to Hydrogen Hyperfine Splitting.- Atoms with Few Electrons.- Precision Laser Spectroscopy of Li+ and Neutral Lithium.- Halo Nuclei in Laser Light.- Exotic Atoms and Heavy Ions.- Quantum Electrodynamics in Extreme Fields: Precision Spectroscopy of High-Z H-like Systems.- Pionic Hydrogen.- Precision Spectroscopy of Antiprotonic Helium Atoms and Ions Weighing the Antiproton.- Simple Molecules.- Precision Spectroscopy of Molecular Hydrogen Ions: Towards Frequency Metrology of Particle Masses.- Nuclear Magnetic Dipole Moments from NMR Spectra Quantum Chemistry and Experiment.- The Negative Ion of Positronium: Decay Rate Measurements and Prospects for Future Experiments.- Savely G. Karshenboim: Guide for Atomic and Particle Physicists to CODATA's Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants.