This important proceedings volume highlights the major scientific achievement of the last decade in atomic physics, namely the creation of the gaseous Bose-Einstein condensate, which was featured prominently at the XVIII International Conference on Atomic Physics (ICAP2002). Two recipients of the 2001 Nobel Prize delivered lectures at the meeting. Among the topics discussed were novel processes leading to degenerate Fermi gases in atom traps, creation of cold molecules, condensates in optical lattices, atoms in intense fields, tests of fundamental symmetries, quantum control and information, time and frequency standards.

This volume comprises a collection of invited and selected contributions presented at the 16th International Conference on Laser Spectroscopy in Palm Cove, Queensland, Australia, 13-18 July 2003. The papers report the latest and most exciting developments in laser spectroscopy and related areas: new ultra-precise spectroscopic measurements based on optical frequency combs including tests of the stability of the fundamental constants; the first realization of Bose-Einstein condensation in cesium and ytterbium; the behavior of ultra-cold bosons and fermions in optical lattices; the production of ultra-cold cesium, helium and fermionic lithium molecules; the production and coherent transport of ultra-cold atoms in microtraps on the surface of chips; the implementation of one- and two-qubit quantum algorithms and experiments towards a scalable quantum computer based on trapped ions; and new medical applications of laser spectroscopy.The proceedings have been selected for coverage in:• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings® (ISTP® / ISI Proceedings)• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings (ISTP CDROM version / ISI Proceedings)• CC Proceedings — Engineering & Physical Sciences