Atomic Physics career choice

[Lizwi]

Hi, I am having a problem on career choice. I like astrophysics, but I am also interested in atomic physics. What do atomic physicists do as their job, can they get employment in industries?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Careers in atomic physics were responsible for the advent of quantum mechanics. Atomic physics is easier to define than molecular physics since it concerns only isolated atoms and ions, electron configurations, and the excitation of electrons by photons or collisions. The property of the nucleus is relevant in atomic physics only when considering hyperfine coupling. Atomic physics jobs are the foundation of plasma physics and atmospheric physics. Careers in atomic physics are dedicated to the study of matter-matter and light-matter on the scale of single atoms or structures containing a few atoms. This broader field is called AMO physics or atomic, molecular, and optical physics.

http://www.physicstoday.org/jobs/career_resources/profiles/atomic_molecular_physics_jobs [Broken]

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http://www.indeed.com/q-Atomic-Physics-jobs.html