This book has evolved from lectures devoted to applications of the Wentzel – Kramers – Brillouin- (WKB or quasi-classical) approximation and of the method of 1/N −expansion for solving various problems in atomic  and nuclear physics. The intent of this book is to help students and investigators in this field to extend their knowledge of these important calculation methods in quantum mechanics. Much material is contained herein that is not to be found elsewhere. WKB approximation, while constituting a fundamental area in atomic physics, has not been the focus of many books. A novel method has been adopted for the presentation of the subject matter, the material is presented as a succession of problems, followed by a detailed way of solving them. The methods introduced are then used to calculate Rydberg states in atomic systems and to evaluate potential barriers and quasistationary states. Finally, adiabatic transition and ionization of quantum systems are covered.

Energy Level Expansion
Lecture Notes Quantum Systems
Lecture Notes WKB Approximation
Quasistationary States Quantum Physics
Rydberg State Atom
Wentzel Kramers Brillouin
Wentzel Kramers Brillouin Approximation

• Front Matter
• WKB Approximation in Quantum Mechanics
• 1/N-Expansion in Quantum Mechanics
• Rydberg States of Atomic Systems
• Penetrability of Potential Barriers and Quasi-Stationary States
• Transitions and Ionization in Quantum Systems
• Back Matter

Moscow Engineering Physical Institute, Moscow, Russia
Boris Mikhailovich Karnakov

Moscow Inst. of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
Vladimir Pavlovich Krainov

Book Title
WKB Approximation in Atomic Physics

Authors
Boris Mikhailovich Karnakov, Vladimir Pavlovich Krainov

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31558-9

Hardcover ISBN
978-3-642-31557-2
Published: 28 August 2012

Softcover ISBN
978-3-642-43070-1
Published: 20 September 2014

eBook ISBN
978-3-642-31558-9
Published: 28 August 2012

Edition Number
1

Number of Pages
VIII, 176

Topics
Mathematical Methods in Physics, Atomic, Molecular, Optical and Plasma Physics, Mathematical Applications in the Physical Sciences, Quantum Physics