| Instructor: | Steven R. Cranmer (email, web page) |
| Instructor's Office: | Duane Physics D111 (main campus), LASP/SPSC N218 (east campus) |
| Course Times: | Fall 2026, Mon./Wed./Fri., 10:10-11:00 am |
| Location: | Duane Physics, Room E126 |
| Office Hours: | Duane D111, Mondays (11:30-12:00) and Fridays (12:30-1:00) |
| Syllabus: | See the most up-to-date PDF version. |
Summary
This course explores the application of quantum physics and statistical mechanics to problems in astrophysics, space physics, and planetary science, with an emphasis on radiative processes and spectroscopy of atoms and molecules. My goal is to provide a solid foundation in the interpretation of spectra; i.e., using spectroscopy to understand the physical conditions of distant galaxies, stars, and planets. This is a core required course for APS graduate students.
Course Material
The primary "required readings" are my lecture notes, which will be posted on Canvas as the semester progresses. Other resources for this course include:- A list of other online books and lecture notes that supplement my own material.
- Handout: useful math/physics formulae & constants that you're free to use for any work in this course (revised for Fall 2026).
- A table of my favorite spectral lines. How will we use it in this course? I'm not yet sure!
- For background & math review: undergraduate lecture notes from ASTR-2100 that cover:
- Some resources for scientific computing with Python.
- Please have a look at detailed guidelines for the Midterm Project.
Schedule
Below is a detailed schedule that will list the material covered in each class session and various course deadlines. A more detailed "after-the-fact" class-by-class schedule will be updated and maintained on Canvas.
- Fri., August 21:
Introductory overview;
syllabus summary.
Begin overview/review of quantum mechanics basics.
- Homework 1 assigned, due Wed., September 2.
- Mon., August 24: Continue overview/review of quantum mechanics basics.
- Wed., August 26: Continue overview/review of quantum mechanics basics.
- Fri., August 28: Continue overview/review of quantum mechanics basics.
- Mon., August 31: Continue overview/review of quantum mechanics basics.
- Wed., September 2:
The hydrogen atom: wavefunctions and angular momentum.
- Homework 1 due.
- Homework 2 assigned, due Wed., September 16.
- Fri., September 4:
The hydrogen atom: wavefunctions and angular momentum.
[Mon., September 7: Labor Day; no classes.]
- Wed., September 9: The hydrogen atom: wavefunctions and angular momentum.
- Fri., September 11: The hydrogen atom: wavefunctions and angular momentum.
- Mon., September 14: The hydrogen atom: wavefunctions and angular momentum.
- Wed., September 16:
The hydrogen atom: wavefunctions and angular momentum.
- Homework 2 due.
- Homework 3 assigned, due Wed., September 30.
- Fri., September 18: Bosons and fermions: quantum statistics and thermal equilibrium.
- Mon., September 21: Bosons and fermions: quantum statistics and thermal equilibrium.
- Wed., September 23: Bosons and fermions: quantum statistics and thermal equilibrium.
- Fri., September 25: Bosons and fermions: quantum statistics and thermal equilibrium.
- Mon., September 28: Bosons and fermions: quantum statistics and thermal equilibrium.
- Wed., September 30:
Bosons and fermions: quantum statistics and thermal equilibrium.
- Homework 3 due.
- Homework 4 assigned, due Wed., October 14.
- Fri., October 2: Opacity and spectral lines: radiative transfer and line formation.
- Mon., October 5: Opacity and spectral lines: radiative transfer and line formation.
- Wed., October 7: Opacity and spectral lines: radiative transfer and line formation.
- Fri., October 9: Opacity and spectral lines: radiative transfer and line formation.
- Mon., October 12: Opacity and spectral lines: radiative transfer and line formation.
- Wed., October 14:
Opacity and spectral lines: radiative transfer and line formation.
- Homework 4 due.
- Midterm Project assigned, due Wed., October 28.
- Fri., October 16: Opacity and spectral lines: radiative transfer and line formation.
- Mon., October 19: Opacity and spectral lines: radiative transfer and line formation.
- Wed., October 21: Opacity and spectral lines: radiative transfer and line formation.
- Fri., October 23: Multi-electron atoms: the periodic table and real spectroscopic diagnostics.
- Mon., October 26: Multi-electron atoms: the periodic table and real spectroscopic diagnostics.
- Wed., October 28:
Multi-electron atoms: the periodic table and real spectroscopic diagnostics.
- Midterm Project due.
- Homework 5 assigned, due Wed., November 11.
- Fri., October 30: Multi-electron atoms: the periodic table and real spectroscopic diagnostics.
- Mon., November 2: Multi-electron atoms: the periodic table and real spectroscopic diagnostics.
- Wed., November 4: Multi-electron atoms: the periodic table and real spectroscopic diagnostics.
- Fri., November 6: Multi-electron atoms: the periodic table and real spectroscopic diagnostics.
- Mon., November 9: Multi-electron atoms: the periodic table and real spectroscopic diagnostics.
- Wed., November 11:
Ionization and recombination processes.
- Homework 5 due.
- Homework 6 assigned, due Mon., November 30.
- Fri., November 13: Ionization and recombination processes.
- Mon., November 16: Ionization and recombination processes.
- Wed., November 18: Ionization and recombination processes.
- Fri., November 20:
Molecules: structure, excitation, and spectroscopy.
[Nov. 23-27: Fall/Thanksgiving Break; no classes.]
- Mon., November 30:
Molecules: structure, excitation, and spectroscopy.
- Homework 6 due.
- Final Exam assigned, due TBD.
- Wed., December 2: Molecules: structure, excitation, and spectroscopy.
- Fri., December 4:
Molecules: structure, excitation, and spectroscopy.
[Dec. 5-6: End of Term Reading Days. Final Exams: Dec. 7-11.]