Comprehensive single source for the theory on and status of current research into laser light pressure on atoms and atomic particles. Part I presents the fundamentals of the theory of resonance light pressure, analyzes the basic relations of the radiatio9n force acting on atomic particles, discusses the properties of light pressure for fields of spatial and time structure. Part II describes investigations into the control of atoms and atomic ions by laser pressure, the cooling of atomic beams, and localized atomic ions. It also describes applications of cooled atoms and ions in atomic physics and spectroscopy.
Control of atomic motion with resonant laser light is the most interesting field of research which is rapidly expanding. The book discusses the latest theoretical and experimental achievements in the study of these phenomena. The fundamental questions of the theory of resonant light pressure are given in the book. They are: 1. Optical Stern-Gerlach Effect and Quantization of Atomic Motion in a Light Field; 2. Theory of Light Pressure Force and Atomic Kinetics in a Strong Field; 3. Diffraction and Interference of Atoms; 4. Velocity Bunching Effect, Cooling and Localization of Atoms in Light Field, and 5. Polarization Phenomena and Recoil Effect. The most important experiments are also discussed in this book. While the book may be used to get a primary acquaintance with the subject, specialists will also find the latest theoretical and experimental results and achievements in this field discussed here.
Intended for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduates with some basic knowledge of optics and quantum mechanics, this text begins with a review of the relevant results of quantum mechanics, before turning to the electromagnetic interactions involved in slowing and trapping atoms and ions, in both magnetic and optical traps. The concluding chapters discuss a broad range of applications, from atomic clocks and studies of collision processes, to diffraction and interference of atomic beams at optical lattices and Bose-Einstein condensation.
Proceedings of the 30th Course of the International School of Quantum Electronics on Atoms, Solids and Plasmas in Super-Intense Laser Fields, held 8-14 July, in Erice, Sicily
As part of the Physics 2010 decadal survey project, the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation requested that the National Research Council assess the opportunities, over roughly the next decade, in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) science and technology. In particular, the National Research Council was asked to cover the state of AMO science, emphasizing recent accomplishments and identifying new and compelling scientific questions. Controlling the Quantum World, discusses both the roles and challenges for AMO science in instrumentation; scientific research near absolute zero; development of extremely intense x-ray and laser sources; exploration and control of molecular processes; photonics at the nanoscale level; and development of quantum information technology. This book also offers an assessment of and recommendations about critical issues concerning maintaining U.S. leadership in AMO science and technology.
This important volume contains selected papers and extensive commentaries on laser trapping and manipulation of neutral particles using radiation pressure forces. Such techniques apply to a variety of small particles, such as atoms, molecules, macroscopic dielectric particles, living cells, and organelles within cells. These optical methods have had a revolutionary impact on the fields of atomic and molecular physics, biophysics, and many aspects of nanotechnology.In atomic physics, the trapping and cooling of atoms down to nanokelvins and even picokelvin temperatures are possible. These are the lowest temperatures in the universe. This made possible the first demonstration of Bose-Einstein condensation of atomic and molecular vapors. Some of the applications are high precision atomic clocks, gyroscopes, the measurement of gravity, cryptology, atomic computers, cavity quantum electrodynamics and coherent atom lasers.A major application in biophysics is the study of the mechanical properties of the many types of motor molecules, mechanoenzymes, and other macromolecules responsible for the motion of organelles within cells and the locomotion of entire cells. Unique in vitro and in vivo assays study the driving forces, stepping motion, kinetics, and efficiency of these motors as they move along the cell's cytoskeleton. Positional and temporal resolutions have been achieved, making possible the study of RNA and DNA polymerases, as they undergo their various copying, backtracking, and error correcting functions on a single base pair basis.Many applications in nanotechnology involve particle and cell sorting, particle rotation, microfabrication of simple machines, microfluidics, and other micrometer devices. The number of applications continues to grow at a rapid rate.The author is the discoverer of optical trapping and optical tweezers. With his colleagues, he first demonstrated optical levitation, the trapping of atoms, and tweezer trapping and manipulation of living cells and biological particles.This is the only review volume covering the many fields of optical trapping and manipulation. The intention is to provide a selective guide to the literature and to teach how optical traps really work.
This book deals specifically with the manipulation of atoms by laser light, describing the focusing, channeling and reflection of atoms by laser fields. It also describes the potential fields required to cause the phase change of the wave function necessary for the atomic interactions to occur.
This book presents a collection of papers, written during the last 33 years by Claude Cohen-Tannoudji and his collaborators, on various physical effects which can be observed on atoms interacting with electromagnetic fields. It consists of a personal selection of review papers, lectures given at schools, as well as original experimental and theoretical papers. Emphasis is put on physical mechanisms and on general approaches, such as the dressed atom approach, having a wide range of applications. Various topics are discussed, such as light shifts, level crossing resonances, multiphoton processes, resonance fluorescence in intense laser fields, photon correlations, quantum jumps, radiative corrections, laser cooling and trapping.This volume includes short introductions by the author. Each paper presented in the volume is preceded by a short commentary giving its motivations, explaining how it fits with the general evolution of the research field, and pointing out connections existing between works done at different periods.
This text treats laser light as a universal tool to control matter at the atomic and molecular level, one of the most exciting applications of lasers. Lasers can heat matter, cool atoms to ultra-low temperatures where they show quantum collective behaviour, and can act selectively on specific atoms and molecules for their detection and separation.
