Molecular Physics and Elements of Quantum Chemistry

Hermann Haken is Professor of the Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of Stuttgart. He is known as the founder of synergetics. His research has been in nonlinear optics (in particular laser physics), solid state physics, statistical physics, and group theory. After the implementation of the first laser in 1960, Professor Haken developed his institute to an international center for laser theory. The interpretation of the laser principles as self organization of non equilibrium systems paved the way to the development of synergetics, of which Haken is recognized as the founder. Hermann Haken has been visiting professor or guest scientist in England, France, Japan, USA, Russia, and China. He is the author of some 23 textbooks and monographs that cover an impressive number of topics from laser physics to synergetics, and editor of a book series in synergetics. For his pathbreaking work and his influence on academic research, he has been awarded many-times. Among others, he is member of the Order "Pour le merite" and received the Max Planck Medal in 1990.

1 Introduction.- 2 Mechanical Properties of Molecules, Their Size and Mass.- 3 Molecules in Electric and Magnetic Fields.- 4 Introduction to the Theory of Chemical Bonding.- 5 Symmetries and Symmetry Operations: A First Overview.- 6 Symmetries and Symmetry Operations. A Systematic Approach.- 7 The Multi-Electron Problem in Molecular Physics and Quantum Chemistry.- 8 Overview of Molecular Spectroscopy Techniques.- 9 Rotational Spectroscopy.- 10 Vibrational Spectroscopy.- 11 The Quantum-Mechanical Treatment of Rotational and Vibrational Spectra.- 12 Raman Spectra.- 13 Electronic States.- 14 The Electronic Spectra of Molecules.- 15 Further Remarks on the Techniques of Molecular Spectroscopy.- 16 The Interaction of Molecules with Light: Quantum-Mechanical Treatment.- 17 Theoretical Treatment of the Raman Effect and the Elements of Nonlinear Optics.- 18 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.- 19 Electron Spin Resonance.- 20 Macromolecules, Biomolecules, and Supermolecules.- 21 Experiments on and withSingle Molecules.- 22 Molecular Electronics and Other Applications.- A. 1 The Calculation of Expectation Values Using Wavefunctions Represented by Determinants.- A.l.l Calculation of Determinants.- A.1.2 Calculation of Expectation Values.- A.2 Calculation of the Density of Radiation.- Fundamental Constants of Atomic Physics (Inside Front Cover).- Energy Conversion Table (Inside Back Cover).

From the reviews:

"The presentation is self-contained and logical, often with excellent illustrations chosen with care ... The perspective is fresh and well suited to the current interest in materials science ... I recommend the book and have used it as independent reading for our majors in physical chemistry."

Zoltàn Géza Soos, Physics Today, 2/1997

From the reviews of the second edition:

"The present textbook concerns itself with two inseparably connected themes: chemical bonding and the physical properties of molecules. ... Each chapter ends with a set of problems ... . The bibliography contains numerous and up to date references to the original literature. ... I recommend this book unreservedly for its high pedagogical value, more specially to the students starting their Mater degree (1ère licence)." (Freddy Binon, Physicalia, Vol. 57 (3), 2005)