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Physical Chemistry V: Spectroscopy
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:10
Abstract
thermal radiation and Planck's law; transition probabilities, rate equations;atomic structure and spectraelectronic, vibrational, and rotational spectroscopy of moleculessymmetry, group theory, and selection rules
Objective
When you successfully finished this course, you are able to analyze and interpret electronic spectra of atoms and rotational, vibrational as well as electronic spectra of molecules. In particular, you will be able * to determine the term symbols of the states of atoms, as well as diatomic and polyatomic molecules * to explain the theoretical steps that are needed to separate the motions of nuclei and electrons (Born-Oppenheimer approximation) as well as rotations and vibrations of the nuclear motion (normal-mode approximation), * to use group theory as tool in spectroscopy, e.g. to classify rotational modes according to symmetry and predict their spectroscopic activity, to construct symmetry-adapted molecular orbitals, and to use the symmetry of states to derive selection rules of molecules, * to use a quantum-mechanical picture to explain intensities of vibrational progressions of an electronic spectrum (Franck-Condon factors), and * to determine selection rules for spectroscopic transitions based on a qualitative evaluation of the dipole matrix element.
Content
Basics: thermal radiation, Planck's law transition probabilities rate equations Einstein coefficients and lasers Atomic and molecular spectroscopy: tools to evaluate the transition matrix elements which describe atomic and molecular spectra quantum-mechanically, in particular - selection rules and symmetry/group theory : separation of electrons and nuclei (Born-Oppenheimer approximation) - separation of vibrations and rotations (normal mode approximation) and how to use these tools to understand and predict spectra qualitatively
Resources
Lecture Notes
is available on the lecture website
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Link to learning material
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Physical Chemistry V: Spectroscopy
Groups are selected in myStudies.
|
|
3 h weekly |
Offered In
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Allgemeine Wahlfächer (Den Studierenden steht das gesamte Lehrangebot der ETH Zürich zur individuellen Auswahl offen - mit folgenden Einschränkungen: Lehrveranstaltungen aus den ersten beiden Studienjahren eines Bachelor-Curriculums der ETH Zürich sowie Lehrveranstaltungen aus GESS "Wissenschaft im Kontext" sind nicht als allgemeines Wahlfach anrechenbar. Die Dozierenden folgender Lehrveranstaltungen empfehlen sie ausdrücklich den Studierenden der Physik. (Für die Lehrveranstaltungen in dieser Liste können Sie die Kategorie "Allgemeine Wahlfächer" direkt in myStudies zuordnen. Für die Kategoriezuordnung anderer zugelassener Lehrveranstaltungen lassen Sie bei der Prüfungsanmeldung "keine Kategorie" ausgewählt und wenden Sie sich nach dem Verfügen des Prüfungsresultates an das Studiensekretariat ( ).))
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