  Motivated by a revision of the classical equations of electromagnetism that
allow for the inclusion of solitary waves in the solution space, the material
collected in these notes examines the consequences of adopting the modified
model in the description of atomic structures. The possibility of handling
"photons" in a deterministic way opens indeed a chance for reviewing the
foundations of quantum physics. Atoms and molecules are described as
aggregations of nuclei and electrons joined through organized photon layers
resonating at various frequencies, explaining how matter can absorb or emit
light quanta. Some established viewpoints are subverted, offering an
alternative scenario. The analysis seeks to provide an answer to many technical
problems in physical chemistry and, at the same time, to raise epistemological
questions.
