Manipulating and characterizing matter at the atomic scale

Elena V. Goldstein, M. G. Moore, O. Zobay +1 more

We review an extension of the optical coherence theory to the case of atomic Schrodinger waves, and show that this requires the introduction of several classes of coherence. Optical methods to manipulate the coherence of matter-wave fields are discussed.

V. W. Hughes

Jincheng Zhang

The precise control and assembly of matter at the atomic and sub-atomic scales represent the ultimate frontier of manufacturing, nanotechnology, and materials science. Despite remarkable breakthroughs in scanning probe microscopy, optical tweezers, and quantum manipulation, current methodologies remain ad-hoc, device-dependent, and lack a unified operational framework. This paper introduces the Atomic Matter Manipulation Protocol (AMMP), a comprehensive, network-centric architecture designed to govern the precise positioning, transport, state modification, and assembly of single atoms and molecules. Inspired by the layered architecture of computer networking models, AMMP abstracts complex quantum-electrodynamic interactions into standardized, interoperable protocol layers. We define the theoretical foundations, structural layers, packet formats, addressing schemes, and mathematical optimization algorithms necessary to orchestrate multi-agent atomic manipulation systems. By decoupling application-level objectives from low-level hardware physics, AMMP provides a scalable and robust blueprint for the automated engineering of programmable matter.

J. Weiner

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-M