"Exotic Atoms in Condensed Matter" reviews the state of the art in this field, from meson factories to the basic interactions of muons in condensed matter. The application of muon- and pion-based analysis of solid state structural, magnetic and superconducting properties is discussed. The spectroscopic features of exotic atoms are reviewed together with their application to chemical analysis. Also, muon-catalyzed fusion is presented.

The primary focus of this thesis is to theoretically describe nanokelvin experiments in cold atomic gases, which offer the potential to revolutionize our understanding of strongly correlated many-body systems. The thesis attacks major challenges of the field: it proposes and analyzes experimental protocols to create new and interesting states of matter and introduces theoretical techniques to describe probes of these states. The phenomena considered include the fractional quantum Hall effect, spectroscopy of strongly correlated states, and quantum criticality, among others. The thesis also clarifies experiments on disordered quantum solids, which display a variety of exotic phenomena and are candidates to exhibit so-called "supersolidity." It collects experimental results and constrains their interpretation through theoretical considerations. This Doctoral Thesis has been accepted by Cornell University, Ithaca, USA.

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.

A major fraction of star formation in the universe occurs in starbursts. These regions of particularly rapid star formation are often located towards the centers of host galaxies. Studies of this kind of star formation at high redshift have produced astonishing results over recent years that were only possible with the latest generation of large ground-based and space telescopes. The papers collected in this volume present these results in the context of the much firmer foundation of star formation in the local universe, and they emphasize all the important topics, from star formation in different environments to the cosmic star formation history.

Materials and Measurements in Molecular Electronics presents new developments in one of the most promising areas of electronics technology for the 21st century. Conjugated polymers, carbon clusters, and many other new molecular materials have been synthesized or discovered in recent years, and some now are on the threshold of commercial application. In the development of molecular materials, detailed knowledge of the structures and electronic states of molecular aggregates is essential. The focus of this book is on the development of new molecular materials and measuring techniques based on modern spectroscopy; included are such topics as Langmuir-Blodgett films, cluster materials, organic conductors, and conjugated electroluminescent polymers.

In Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation in Semiconductors and Devices the contributions of the International Conference on Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation in the Natural Environment (ICPF '94) in Noordwijkerhout, held by many internationally reknown experts, are compiled. To connect the field of semiconductor physics with the theory of nonequilibrium dissipative systems, the emphasis lies on the study of localized structures, their stability and bifurcation behaviour. A point of special interest is the evolution of dynamic structures and the investigation of more complex structures arising from interactions between these structures. Possible applications of nonlinear effects and self-organization phenomena with respect to signal processing are discussed.

The Sixth International Conference on Time-Resolved Vibrational Spectroscopy was held from May 23 to 28, 1993 in Berlin, Germany. It continued the series of biennial conferences initiated in 1982 by Prof. George Atkinson (University of Arizona) at Lake Placid, USA, followed by conferences which were chaired by Prof. Alfred Laubereau (University of Bayreuth) and Dr. Manfred Stockburger (Max-Planck-Institut, G6ttingen) at Bayreuth-Bischofsgrtin, Germany, in 1985, by Prof. Joop D.W. Van Voorst (University of Amsterdam) at Amersfoort, The Netherlands, in 1987, Prof. Thomas G. Spiro (Princeton University) at Princeton, USA, in 1989, and by Prof. Hiroaki Takahashi (Waseda University) at Tokyo, Japan, in 1991. The Berlin conference attracted 120 participants from 19 different countries, representing the most active scientific groups of the world in this field. Since 1982 the field has benefited from the development of lasers with shorter pulses and of reliable tunable light sources in the infrared. Now, the main activities are focused on the primary photo-induced processes and their excited-state dynamics and on detailed investigations in photochemistry and photobiology. The high quality of the contributions given at this conference is reflected in this proceedings volume and will provide all scientists interested in this field with current state-of-the-art results.

Quantum Optics VI documents the most recent theoretical and experimental developments in this field, with particular emphasis on atomic optics and interferometry, which is a new and rapidly developing area of research. New methods for quantum-noise reduction are also covered.

These proceedings document the various papers delivered and partially presented at the International Conference “From experimental evidence towards numerical modeling of unsaturated soils,” which was held in Weimar (Germany) during 18-19 September 2003. The conference was organized under the auspices of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and the National German G- technical Society (DGGT). The need to understand the behavior of unsaturated soils is becoming exclusively - sential for the geotechnical engineers and designers. In the last three decades many - searchers have made significant contribution to the understanding of the unsaturated soil mechanics. Nevertheless, application of the subject to variety of new problems still - quires our attention. This International conference is a mere attempt to unite researchers and engineers in geotechnical engineering and to discuss about the problems associated with the unsaturated soils. Doing so the objectives of these lecture notes are as follows: - to promote unsaturated soil mechanics for practical application, - to exchange experiences in experimental unsaturated soil mechanics and numerical modeling, - to discuss application of unsaturated soil mechanics to variety of problems. In other words, we could also name these two volumes as “From theory to daily pr- tice”. I would like to extend my deep sense of appreciation as the editor and the Head of the organizing committee, to many persons who have contributed either directly or indirectly to organize the International conference and to finalize these proceedings.

The 4th International Workshop on Adaptive Optics for Industry and Me- cine took place in Munster, ̈ Germany, from October 19 to October 24, 2003. The series of International Workshops on Adaptive Optics for Industry and Medicine beganwiththe?rstworkshopinShatura/Russiain1997,thesecond workshop took place in Durham/England in 1999, and the third workshop was held in Albuquerque/USA in 2001. The workshop series started out as a true grassroots movement and kept an informal spirit throughout all four workshops. Many personal friendships and scienti?c collaborations have been formed at these meetings. This fourth workshop was supposed to be held in Beijing, China. H- ever, the program committee decided in May 2003 to move the workshop to Munster ̈ due the general perception that the SARS (Severe Acute R- piratory Syndrome) cases reported in China could lead to a large epidemic. Despite this rather short notice the workshop in Munster ̈ was attended by about 70 people. Incidentally, the workshop coincided with the 50th anniv- sary of adaptive optics, because it was October 1953 when Horace Babcock published his famous paper “The possibilities of compensating astronomical seeing” in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Paci?c.