This book deals specifically with the manipulation of atoms by laser light, describing the focusing, channeling and reflection of atoms by laser fields. It also describes the potential fields required to cause the phase change of the wave function necessary for the atomic interactions to occur.

This book deals specifically with the manipulation of atoms by laser light, describing the focusing, channeling and reflection of atoms by laser fields. It also describes the potential fields required to cause the phase change of the wave function necessary for the atomic interactions to occur.

Quantum mechanics does away with the distinction between particles and waves, and one of the more interesting implications of the wave/particle duality - the discovery that atoms may be manipulated in ways analogous to the manipulation of light with lenses and mirrors - has formed the basis for the relatively new field of atom optics. Pierre Meystre's Atom Optics is the first book entirely devoted to this exciting area of research. Reference links to the leading journals in the field, links to research sites, graphics, and updates can be found online.

A thorough introduction to the interaction of atoms with optical and magnetic fields; for graduate students and researchers.

Experimental spectroscopic techniques, especially those involving lasers, have wide-ranging applications in the fields of physics, medicine, electronics, and chemistry. Keeping in mind the importance of spectroscopic detection and characterization of atomic and molecular species, this book, now in its Second Edition, is updated. It deals with both the conventional and modern experimental techniques related to atoms, spectroscopy and lasers. It discusses the recent innovations, types and operating principles of lasers and laser systems. A section on Fiber Laser has been added in the new edition of the book. Recent developments in planetary detection of atoms and molecules by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has prompted the inclusion of a section on LIBS on planet Mars along with its applications. Primarily intended as a text for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Physics in various Indian universities, this uptodate book would be immensely useful also for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in Chemistry, Astrophysics, Metallurgy and Material Science, and Geology and Mining. Key Features Coverage is quite extensive to cater to students of most Indian universities—with detailed discussions on atoms, spectroscopy and lasers. Gives special emphasis on modern aspects of spectroscopy such as laser cooling of atoms. Contains more than 140 diagrams to illustrate the concepts better.

Principles of Laser Spectroscopy and Quantum Optics is an essential textbook for graduate students studying the interaction of optical fields with atoms. It also serves as an ideal reference text for researchers working in the fields of laser spectroscopy and quantum optics. The book provides a rigorous introduction to the prototypical problems of radiation fields interacting with two- and three-level atomic systems. It examines the interaction of radiation with both atomic vapors and condensed matter systems, the density matrix and the Bloch vector, and applications involving linear absorption and saturation spectroscopy. Other topics include hole burning, dark states, slow light, and coherent transient spectroscopy, as well as atom optics and atom interferometry. In the second half of the text, the authors consider applications in which the radiation field is quantized. Topics include spontaneous decay, optical pumping, sub-Doppler laser cooling, the Heisenberg equations of motion for atomic and field operators, and light scattering by atoms in both weak and strong external fields. The concluding chapter offers methods for creating entangled and spin-squeezed states of matter. Instructors can create a one-semester course based on this book by combining the introductory chapters with a selection of the more advanced material. A solutions manual is available to teachers. Rigorous introduction to the interaction of optical fields with atoms Applications include linear and nonlinear spectroscopy, dark states, and slow light Extensive chapter on atom optics and atom interferometry Conclusion explores entangled and spin-squeezed states of matter Solutions manual (available only to teachers)