Following the recent publications of the special issues, `Coherent matter waves' in Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics and `Quantum transport of atoms in optical lattices' in Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics , we would like to take this opportunity to clarify the situation regarding the overlap of topics in the two journals. As a not-for-profit publisher we believe in serving the communities represented by the journals and wish to offer as much choice to the authors and readers as possible. For example, in relation to atoms and optics we are in an excellent position to offer this choice as we have two world-class journals that cover all aspects of atom optics, guaranteeing maximum exposure to the communities involved. Both journals have high impact factors and both are abstracted in INSPEC Information Services; Chemical Abstracts; ISI (Science Citation Index®, SciSearch®, ISI Alerting Services, Current Contents®/Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences), to name but a few. The journal web sites are highly accessed with a combined average of over 20 000 views per month in 2000. Please feel free to view the journal information pages on www.iop.org/Journals/jb and www.iop.org/Journals/ob . We welcome submissions from all aspects of atom optics, coherent matter waves and Bose-Einstein condensation with atoms. We encourage authors to look at both journals and decide which journal would provide the best home for their article. We, at the Editorial Office, are happy to help if there is any doubt. Additionally Professor Arimondo (Editor-in-Chief, J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt. ) and Professor Burnett (Honorary Editor, J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. ) have drawn up some basic guidelines as to which topics sit better in which journal. These are shown below and are meant to aid the author when deciding which journal to submit to, but are not meant to be prescriptive in any way. Ultimately it is the authors' decision and we will always respect that. If at anytime you have any queries or comments, please do contact us at the Editorial Office. Nicola Gulley Publisher J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. Andrew Harmer Publisher J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt. General guide to suitable topics for J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. and J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt. in atoms to optics research. J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys.: • cold collisions; • many-body wavefunctions; • interactions; • excitations of condensates; • computational techniques for condensates; • molecular condensates. J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt.: • atom optics; • matter--wave coherence; • optics of matter waves; • condensates phase issues; • lattices; • quantum information with BEC.
Following the recent publications of the special issues, Coherent matter waves' in Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics and Quantum transport of atoms in optical lattices' in Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics , we would like to take this opportunity to clarify the situation regarding the overlap of topics in the two journals. As a not-for-profit publisher we believe in serving the communities represented by the journals and wish to offer as much choice to the authors and readers as possible. For example, in relation to atoms and optics we are in an excellent position to offer this choice as we have two world-class journals that cover all aspects of atom optics, guaranteeing maximum exposure to the communities involved. Both journals have high impact factors and both are abstracted in INSPEC Information Services; Chemical Abstracts; ISI (Science Citation Index®, SciSearch®, ISI Alerting Services, Current Contents®/Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences), to name but a few. The journal web sites are highly accessed with a combined average of over 20 000 views per month in 2000. Please feel free to view the journal information pages on www.iop.org/Journals/jb and www.iop.org/Journals/ob . We welcome submissions from all aspects of atom optics, coherent matter waves and Bose-Einstein condensation with atoms. We encourage authors to look at both journals and decide which journal would provide the best home for their article. We, at the Editorial Office, are happy to help if there is any doubt. Additionally Professor Arimondo (Editor-in-Chief, J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt. ) and Professor Burnett (Honorary Editor, J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. ) have drawn up some basic guidelines as to which topics sit better in which journal. These are shown below and are meant to aid the author when deciding which journal to submit to, but are not meant to be prescriptive in any way. Ultimately it is the authors' decision and we will always respect that. If at anytime you have any queries or comments, please do contact us at the Editorial Office. Nicola Gulley Publisher J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. Andrew Harmer Publisher J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt. General guide to suitable topics for J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. and J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt. in atoms to optics research. J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys.: • cold collisions; • many-body wavefunctions; • interactions; • excitations of condensates; • computational techniques for condensates; • molecular condensates. J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt.: • atom optics; • matter--wave coherence; • optics of matter waves; • condensates phase issues; • lattices; • quantum information with BEC.
Guest Editors: W Lange Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Garching, Germany J-M Gerard Laboratoire de Physique des Semiconducteurs, Grenoble, France Cavity QED interactions of light and matter have been investigated in a wide range of systems covering the spectrum from microwaves to optical frequencies, using media as diverse as single atoms and semiconductors. Impressive progress has been achieved technologically as well as conceptually. This topical issue of Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics is intended to provide a comprehensive account of the current state of the art of cavity QED by uniting contributions from researchers active across this field. As Guest Editors of this topical issue, we invite manuscripts on current theoretical and experimental work on any aspects of cavity QED. The topics to be covered will include, but are not limited to: •Cavity QED in optical microcavities •Semiconductor cavity QED •Quantum dot cavity QED •Rydberg atoms in microwave cavities •Photonic crystal cavity QED •Microsphere resonators •Microlasers and micromasers •Microdroplets •Dielectric cavity QED •Cavity QED-based quantum information processing •Quantum state engineering in cavities The topical issue is scheduled for publication in February 2004. Manuscripts should be submitted to the Publisher by 31 July 2003, quoting `Topical Issue/Cavity QED', although early submission would be welcomed. All papers will be peer-reviewed in accordance with the normal refereeing procedures and standards of Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics . Manuscripts should be prepared according to the general guidelines for authors published in the journal. Electronic submission in LaTeX is welcomed. Full details on how to structure an article, including specific information on figures, tables and references, are available from our Web site at www.iop.org/Journals/authors/jopb . There are no page charges for publication. In addition to the usual 50 free reprints, the corresponding author contributor of each paper published will receive a complimentary copy of the topical issue. We look forward to receiving your contribution to this topical issue. Submission address: Dr Claire Bedrock (Publisher) Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics Institute of Physics Publishing Dirac House Temple Back Bristol BS1 6BE UK jopb@iop.org
This special issue of Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (J. Phys. B) is a collection of articles originating from the three-day International Workshop `Theory of Quantum Gases and Quantum Coherence' held in October 2005 in Cortona, Italy. This workshop was aimed at young researchers, PhD students, post-docs and junior researchers, who formed the vast majority of the participants. In addition, a few senior researchers provided a scientific overview of the main topics of discussion. The workshop followed on from previous events held in Salerno, Italy in 2001 and in Levico, Italy in 2003, which gave rise to two special issues in J. Phys. B (volume 34, issue 23 and volume 36, issue 7). The workshop explored theoretical aspects in the field of ultracold quantum gases in connection with the field of condensed matter physics, covering topics such as fermion pairing in the BEC-BCS crossover, low-dimensional systems, strongly interacting gases, disordered systems, spinor gases and boson--fermion mixtures. This special issue provides a scientific link between important research themes common to the two fields and discusses the various possibilities of creating, with ultracold atoms, systems not easily accessible in traditional condensed matter. Due to the strong nexus between theoretical and experimental progress in these fields, some seminars have been devoted to the most recent experiments. The workshop has been extremely successful, due to the very high quality of the contributions and to the active feedback of participants. We thank them all for their competence, enthusiasm and warm participation. The variety of the topics and the high level of the themes discussed in the workshop are reflected in the papers presented here. They stem from oral and poster contributions and include both topical reviews and original research. The papers have been peer reviewed to the usual high standard of J. Phys. B . We would like to take this opportunity to thank the journal's constant and strong commitment to the physics of quantum gases and fundamental quantum systems and especially its Editor-in-Chief, J-M Rost, and the publishing team for making the realization of this special issue possible. Finally, we would like to thank all the institutions and people who have supported the workshop. The European Science Foundation has provided substantial financial support through the programme `Quantum Degenerate Dilute Systems (QUDEDIS)'. Our gratitude goes especially to the steering committee of the QUDEDIS programme and to its chairman, Professor Dr Martin Wilkens. The BEC-CNR-INFM Research and Development Centre on Bose--Einstein Condensation in Trento has been another important source of financial support and for this we especially thank its Director, Professor Sandro Stringari. Last but not least, we gratefully acknowledge the support of the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, its Director, Professor Salvatore Settis, for granting the use of the `Palazzone', the Palazzone's staff for their help in the logistics, and the dean of the `Classe di Scienze' of the Scuola Normale Superiore, Fulvio Ricci, for the travel support granted to some participants.
This Special Issue of Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics brings together the contributions of various researchers working on theoretical and experimental aspects of cold quantum gases. Different aspects of atom optics, matter wave interferometry, laser manipulation of atoms and molecules, and production of very cold and degenerate gases are presented. The variety of subjects demonstrates the steadily expanding role associated with this research area. The topics discussed in this issue, extending from basic physics to applications of atom optics and of cold atomic samples, include: •Bose--Einstein condensation •Fermi degenerate gases •Characterization and manipulation of quantum gases •Coherent and nonlinear cold matter wave optics •New schemes for laser cooling •Coherent cold molecular gases •Ultra-precise atomic clocks •Applications of cold quantum gases to metrology and spectroscopy •Applications of cold quantum gases to quantum computing •Nanoprobes and nanolithography. This special issue is published in connection with the 7th International Workshop on Atom Optics and Interferometry, held in Lunteren, The Netherlands, from 28 September to 2 October 2002. This was the last in a series of Workshops organized with the support of the European Community that have greatly contributed to progress in this area. The scientific part of the Workshop was managed by A Hemmerich, W Hogervorst, W Vassen and J T M Walraven, with input from members of the International Programme Committee who are listed below. The practical aspects of the organization were ably handled by Petra de Gijsel from the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. The Workshop was funded by the European Science Foundation (programme BEC2000+), the European Networks 'Cold Quantum Gases (CQG)', coordinated by E Arimondo, and 'Cold Atoms and Ultraprecise Atomic Clocks (CAUAC)', coordinated by J Henningsen, by the German Physical Society (DFG), by the Dutch Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) and by the Dutch Gelderland province. We thank all these sponsors and the members of the International Programme Committee for making the Workshop such a success. At this point we take the opportunity to express our gratitude to both authors and reviewers, for their efforts in preparing and ensuring the high quality of the papers in this special issue. Wim Vassen Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Andreas Hemmerich Universität Hamburg Ennio Arimondo Università di Pisa Guest Editors International Programme Committee A Aspect Orsay, France E Cornell Boulder, USA W Ertmer Hannover, Germany T W Haensch Munich, Germany A Hemmerich Hamburg, Germany W Hogervorst Amsterdam, The Netherlands D Kleppner Cambridge, USA C Salomon Paris, France G V Shlyapnikov Amsterdam, Paris, Moscow S Stringari Trento, Italy W Vassen Amsterdam, The Netherlands J T M Walraven Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This Special Issue of Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics brings together contributions of various researchers working on theoretical and experimental aspects of quantum optics and quantum entanglement. The physics of quantum entangled states, an interdisciplinary field of research involving quantum optics, physics of quantum information and foundations of quantum theory, has been intensively exploited over the last decade in connection with quantum information processing, quantum communication and quantum computing. It was shown that the use of entangled states opens new horizons in such practical fields as cryptography, computing, information transmission, quantum imaging and precision measurements. Essential progress has also been achieved in the area of photon squeezing, generation of nonclassical states, including Schrödinger cats, trapped ions, Bose–Einstein condensates, cavity quantum electrodynamics, the Casimir effect, etc. These results have initiated applications in quantum information and communication, quantum imaging and quantum computing. This special issue is published in connection with the International Conference on Quantum Electronics (IQEC 2002) held on 26 June–1 July 2002, in Moscow, Russia, where the topics of quantum optics, generation and characterization of the entangled states and their applications were discussed in the framework of regular sections on quantum optics, quantum information and quantum computing, and during the special symposium on entangled states. We would like to express our gratitude to both authors and reviewers, for their efforts in preparing and ensuring the high scientific quality of the papers in this special issue. While the issue was in preparation for publication, one of the guest editors, Professor Anatoly Oraevski, suddenly passed away. He was a great scientist, recognized worldwide for his numerous important contributions to nonlinear and quantum optics, and to laser physics. Anatoly was always an enthusiastic advisor, mentor and collaborator. All of us remember numerous positive interactions with him, not only while organizing IQEC 2002 in Moscow last summer, but also throughout the years. He will be missed both for his scientific insight and because he was a good, kind and gentle man. Editing this special issue of Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics together with Professor Oraevski was our last joint effort and we would like to pay a tribute to him by dedicating this issue to his memory.
This special section of Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (J. Phys. B) is a compilation of articles originating from the three-day international workshop entitled 'Theory of Quantum Gases and Quantum Coherence', held in June 2003 in Levico, Italy. The workshop follows on from the Salerno workshop held in 2002 (see J. Phys. B volume 34, issue 23). The articles presented in this special section highlight the interdisciplary nature of Bose–Einstein condensation, both experimental and theoretical, and some of the exciting progress being made in the field at the moment. We would like to thank all of the institutions and people who have supported the workshop. The European Science Foundation has provided substantial financial support through the programme 'Quantum Degenerate Dilute Systems: Bose–Einstein Condensation and Beyond (BEC2000+)'. Our gratitude goes especially to the steering committee of the BEC2000+ programme and to its chairman, Professor Dr Martin Wilkens. The Research and Development Centre for Bose–Einstein Condensation of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica della Materia (BEC-INFM) has been another important source of financial support and for this we thank especially the Director of the centre, Professor Sandro Stringari. We would also like to thank the Dipartimento di Fisica of the Universita di Trento for financial and logistic help. As this international workshop coincided with the ten-year anniversary of the first ever BEC conference, which was also held in Levico, we asked Professor Allan Griffin to write an introduction to this special section based on the talk he gave at the workshop. This introduction (the following article) gives a nice overview of the first ever conference and celebrates the progress in the field of BEC over the past ten years.