This is the second of a two-semester subject sequence beginning with Atomic and Optical Physics I (8.421) that provides the foundations for contemporary research in selected areas of atomic and optical physics. Topics covered include non-classical states of light–squeezed states; multi-photon processes, Raman scattering; coherence–level crossings, quantum beats, double resonance, superradiance; trapping and cooling-light forces, laser cooling, atom optics, spectroscopy of trapped atoms and ions; atomic interactions–classical collisions, quantum scattering theory, ultracold collisions; and experimental methods.
Overview
Syllabus
1. Introduction to Atomic Physics.
2. QED Hamiltonian.
3. Quantum description of light, Part 1.
3. Quantum description of light, Part 2.
4. Non-classical light, squeezing, Part 1.
4. Non-classical light, squeezing, Part 2.
5. Single photons, Part 1.
5. Single photons, Part 2.
6. Entangled states.
7. Metrology, shot noise and Heisenberg limit, Part 1.
7. Metrology, shot noise and Heisenberg limit, Part 2.
8. g(2) for atoms and light.
9. Diagrams for light-atom interactions.
10. van der Waals and Casimir interactions.
11. Casimir force.
12. Resonant interactions.
13. Derivation of optical Bloch equations.
14. Solutions of optical Bloch equations, Part 1.
14. Solutions of optical Bloch equations, Part 2.
15. Unraveling Open System Quantum Dynamics.
16. Light forces, Part 1.
16. Light forces, Part 2.
17. Dressed atom, Part 1.
17. Dressed atom, Part 2.
18. Techniques for ultralow temperatures.
19. Bose gases.
20. Fermi gases, BEC-BCS crossover.
21. Ion trapping and quantum gates.
Taught by
Prof. Wolfgang Ketterle
