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402-0726-12L 6 Credits DR , MSC D-PHYS
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Physics of Exotic Atoms

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Paolo Crivelli
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:19

Abstract

In this course, we will review the status of physics with exotic atoms including the new exciting advances such as anti-hydrogen 1S-2S spectroscopy and measurements of the hyperfine splitting and the puzzling results of the muonic-hydrogen experiment for the determination of the proton charge radius.

Objective

The course will give an introduction on the physics of exotic atoms covering both theoretical and experimental aspects. The focus will be set on the systems which are currently a subject of research in Switzerland: positronium at ETHZ, anti-hydrogen at CERN and muonium, muonic-H and muonic-He at PSI. The course will enable the students to follow recent publications in this field.

Content

Review of the theory of hydrogen and hydrogen-like atoms Interaction of atoms with radiation Hyperfine splitting theory and experiments: Positronium (Ps), Muonium (Mu) and anti-hydrogen (Hbar) High precision spectroscopy: Ps, Mu and Hbar Lamb shift in muonic-H and muonic-He- the proton radius puzzle Weak and strong interaction tests with exotic atoms Anti-matter and gravitation Applications of antimatter

Resources

Lecture Notes

script

Literature

Precision physics of simple atoms and molecules, Savely G. Karshenboim, Springer 2008 Proceedings of the International Conference on Exotic Atoms (EXA 2008) and the 9th International Conference on Low Energy Antiproton Physics (LEAP 2008) held in Vienna, Austria, 15-19 September 2008 (PART I/II), Hyperfine Interactions, Volume 193, Numbers 1-3 / September 2009 Laser Spectroscopy: Vol. 1 Basic Principles Vol. 2 Experimental Techniques von Wolfgang Demtröder von Springer Berlin Heidelberg 2008

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DR , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 20 minutes

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Physics of Exotic Atoms
  • Mon 08:45-10:30 (HIT H 51)
2 h weekly
exercise Physics of Exotic Atoms
  • Mon 10:45-11:30 (HIT H 51)
1 h weekly

Offered In