8.422 | Spring 2013 | Graduate

Atomic and Optical Physics II

Course Description

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 …
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.
Instructor Insights
Lecture Videos
Problem Sets
Simple diagram showing ground state, excited state and atom moving.
Diagram for light scattering by an atom with ground state g and excited state e. (Image Courtesy of Prof. Wolfgang Ketterle.)