Advances in atomic, molecular, and optical physics
Manipulation of nonclassical field states in a cavity by atom interferometry
S. Haroche, J. M. Raimond
Abstract
Two new domains in quantum optics have emerged in recent years. Manipulation of atomic systems by electromagnetic fields has been developed in refined light cooling and trapping experiments. The atomic external degrees of freedom can now be controlled with great precision, and atoms can be cooled down to low temperatures corresponding to very large de Broglie wavelengths, making atomic interferometry practical and opening the way to many applications in fundamental Physics. 40 refs., 14 figs.