Light-Matter Interaction

A thorough introduction to atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) science and engineering

Atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) science and engineering stands at the confluence of strong scientific and technological currents in physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering. It seeks ways to expand our ability to use light for many purposes: to observe and manipulate matter at the atomic scale, to use nanostructures to manipulate light at the subwavelength scale, to develop quantum devices, and to control internal molecular motion and modify chemical reactivity with light. The two-volume Light-Matter Interaction draws together the principal ideas that form the basis of AMO science and engineering. Volume 1: Fundamentals and Applications fills many gaps left by standard courses and texts in chemical physics and electrical engineering to supply the basis of what the AMO scientist or engineer needs to build a solid foundation of understanding in the field.

Organized to serve as both textbook and reliable desk reference to a diverse audience ranging from student and novice to advanced practitioner, this book discusses both the fundamentals and common applications, including:

* Classical absorption and emission of radiation
* Quantum dipole coupling to the two-level system
* The optical Bloch equations
* Quantized fields and dressed states
* Optical forces and cooling from atom-light interaction
* The laser in theory and practice
* Geometrical and wave optics: theory and applications
* The Gaussian beam and optical resonators