Atomic and Quantum Physics

Luciano Colombo

This book introduces the fundamental quantum physics of atoms and molecules. Divided into three parts, the first provides a historical perspective leading to the contemporary view of atomic and molecular physics, outlining the principles of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. The second part covers the physical description of atoms and their interaction with radiation, whilst the third part deals with molecular physics. The book is the first of a series of three aiming to present a broad coverage of atomic, molecular, solid-state and statistical physics. It is well suited accompany a one-semester undergraduate course in quantum physics but will be enjoyed by anyone trying to enter the realm of atoms and molecules and how we understand them.

Hermann Haken, Hans Christoph Wolf

Misha Ivanov, P. C. Haljan, E. Constant +4 more

Some aspects of quantum well physics are very closely related to atomic and molecular physics. Quantum well and quantum dot semiconductor structures are, in some sense, artificial atoms (single well structures) and molecules (multiple well structures). We use this analogy to extend the ideas and results on laser interaction with atoms and molecules to the physics of laser interaction with quantum wells. We also try to use ideas developed in quantum well physics to understand molecular phenomena. For example, motivated by the analogy between quantum wells and atoms, we have experimentally demonstrated all-optical control of the direction of photocurrent in quantum well devices.

Yonatan F. Kahn, Adam J. Anderson

Franco Nori, J. Q. You

Superconducting circuits [1-11] based on Josephson junctions exhibit macroscopic quantum coherence and can behave like artificial atoms. Recent technological advances have made it possible to implement atomic-physics and quantum-optics experiments on a chip using these artificial atoms. This pedagogical talk presents a brief introduction to this rapidly advancing field. We not only discuss phenomena analogous to those in atomic physics and quantum optics with natural atoms, but also highlight those not occurring in natural atoms.

Vasant Natarajan A