Quantum Electrodynamics: Atoms, Lasers and Gravity

This book introduces readers to a variety of topics surrounding quantum field theory, notably its role in bound states, laser physics, and the gravitational coupling of Dirac particles. It discusses some rather sophisticated concepts based on detailed derivations which cannot be found elsewhere in the literature. It is suitable for undergraduates, graduates, and researchers working on general relativity, relativistic atomic physics, quantum electrodynamics, as well as theoretical laser physics. Contents: Introduction From Unit Systems for the Microworld to Field Quantization Time-Ordered Perturbations Bound-Electron Self–Energy and Bethe Logarithm Interatomic and Atom-Surface Interactions Racah–Wigner Algebra Free Dirac Equation Dirac Equation for Bound States, Lasers and Gravity Electromagnetic Field and Photon Propagators Tree-Level and Loop Diagrams, and Renormalization Foldy–Wouthuysen Transformation and Lamb Shift Relativistic Interactions for Many-Particle and Compound Systems Fully Correlated Basis Sets and Helium Relativistic Many-Particle Calculations Beyond Breit Hamiltonian and On-Shell Form Factors Bethe–Salpeter Equation NRQED: An Effective Field Theory for Atomic Physics Fermionic Determinants and Effective Lagrangians Renormalization-Group Equations Readership: Undergraduates, graduates, and researchers working on general relativity, relativistic atomic physics, quantum electrodynamics, as well as theoretical laser physics. Key Features: The book is an urgently needed modernization of the classic book of Bethe and Salpeter on One- and Two-Electron Atoms, which is hopelessly out of date by today's standards Also, the book introduces the reader to some rather sophisticated concepts from bound-state field theory, laser physics, and gravitational…