This book is primarily intended for graduate chemists and chemical physicists. Indeed, it is based on a graduate course that I give in the Chemistry Depart ment of Southampton University. Nowadays undergraduate chemistry courses usually include an introduction to quantum mechanics with particular reference to molecular properties and there are a number of excellent textbooks aimed specifically at undergraduate chemists. In valence theory and molecular spectroscopy physical concepts are often encountered that are normally taken on trust. For example, electron spin and the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron are usually accepted as postulates, although they are well understood by physicists. In addition, the advent of new techniques has led to experimental situations that can only be accounted for adequately by relatively sophisticated physical theory. Relativis tic corrections to molecular orbital energies are needed to explain X-ray photo electron spectra, while the use oflasers can give rise to multiphoton transitions, which are not easy to understand using the classical theory of radiation. Of course, the relevant equations may be extracted from the literature, but, if the underlying physics is not understood, this is a practice that is at best dissatisfy ing and at worst dangerous. One instance where great care must be taken is in the use of spectroscopically determined parameters to test the accuracy of elec tronic wave functions.

This text unravels those fundamental physical principles which explain how all matter behaves. It takes us from the foundations of quantum mechanics, through quantum models of atomic, molecular, and electronic structure, and on to discussions of spectroscopy, and the electronic and magnetic properties of molecules.

Methods of Molecular Quantum Mechanics This advanced text introduces to the advanced undergraduate and graduate student the mathematical foundations of the methods needed to carry out practical applications in electronic molecular quantum mechanics, a necessary preliminary step before using commercial programmes to carry out quantum chemistry calculations. Major features of the book include: Consistent use of the system of atomic units, essential for simplifying all mathematical formulae Introductory use of density matrix techniques for interpreting properties of many-body systems An introduction to valence bond methods with an explanation of the origin of the chemical bond A unified presentation of basic elements of atomic and molecular interactions The book is intended for advanced undergraduate and first-year graduate students in chemical physics, theoretical and quantum chemistry. In addition, it is relevant to students from physics and from engineering sub-disciplines such as chemical engineering and materials sciences.

New textbooks at all levels of chemistry appear with great regularity. Some fields like basic biochemistry, organic reaction mechanisms, and chemical thermody namics are well represented by many excellent texts, and new or revised editions are published sufficiently often to keep up with progress in research. However, some areas of chemistry, especially many of those taught at the graduate level, suffer from a real lack of up-to-date textbooks. The most serious needs occur in fields that are rapidly changing. Textbooks in these subjects usually have to be written by scientists actually involved in the research which is advancing the field. It is not often easy to persuade such individuals to set time aside to help spread the knowledge they have accumulated. Our goal, in this series, is to pinpoint areas of chemistry where recent progress has outpaced what is covered in any available textbooks, and then seek out and persuade experts in these fields to produce relatively concise but instructive introductions to their fields. These should serve the needs of one semester or one quarter graduate courses in chemistry and biochemistry. In some cases, the availability of texts in active research areas should help stimulate the creation of new courses. New York, New York CHARLES R. CANTOR Preface This book is not a traditional quantum chemistry textbook. Instead, it represents a concept that has evolved from teaching graduate courses in quantum chemistry over a number of years, and encountering students with diverse backgrounds.

This graduate-level text explains the modern in-depth approaches to the calculation of electronic structure and the properties of molecules. Largely self-contained, it features more than 150 exercises. 1989 edition.

Quantum mechanics is a general theory of the motions, structures, properties, and behaviors of particles of atomic and subatomic dimensions. While quantum mechanics was created in the first third of the twentieth century by a handful of theoretical physicists working on a limited number of problems, it has further developed and is now applied by a great number of people working on a vast range of problems in wide areas of science and technology. Basic Molecular Quantum Mechanics introduces quantum mechanics by covering the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and some of its most important chemical applications: vibrational and rotational spectroscopy and electronic structure of atoms and molecules. Thoughtfully organized, the author builds up quantum mechanics systematically with each chapter preparing the student for the more advanced chapters and complex applications. Additional features include the following: This book presents rigorous and precise explanations of quantum mechanics and mathematical proofs. It contains qualitative discussions of key concepts with mathematics presented in the appendices. It provides problems and solutions at the end of each chapter to encourage understanding and application. This book is carefully written to emphasize its applications to chemistry and is a valuable resource for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students specializing in chemistry, in related fields such as chemical engineering and materials science, and in some areas of biology.

Self-contained, systematic introduction examines application of quantum electrodynamics to interpretation of optical experiments on atoms and molecules and explains the quantum theory of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter.