A modern introduction to ultracold atomic physics combining fundamental theory with discussion of cold atom phenomena and applications.

This book explores the physics of atoms frozen to ultralow temperatures and trapped in periodic light structures. It introduces the reader to the spectacular progress achieved on the field of ultracold gases and describes present and future challenges in condensed matter physics, high energy physics, and quantum computation.

This volume provides a broad overview of the principal theoretical techniques applied to non-equilibrium and finite temperature quantum gases. Covering Bose-Einstein condensates, degenerate Fermi gases, and the more recently realised exciton-polariton condensates, it fills a gap by linking between different methods with origins in condensed matter physics, quantum field theory, quantum optics, atomic physics, and statistical mechanics.

Quantum phenomena of many-particle systems are fascinating in their complexity and are consequently not fully understood and largely untapped in terms of practical applications. Ultracold gases provide a unique platform to build up model systems of quantum many-body physics with highly controlled microscopic constituents. In this way, many-body quantum phenomena can be investigated with an unprecedented level of precision, and control and models that cannot be solved with present day computers may be studied using ultracold gases as a quantum simulator.This book addresses the need for a comprehensive description of the most important advanced experimental methods and techniques that have been developed along with the theoretical framework in a clear and applicable format. The focus is on methods that are especially crucial in probing and understanding the many-body nature of the quantum phenomena in ultracold gases and most topics are covered both from a theoretical and experimental viewpoint, with interrelated chapters written by experts from both sides of research.Graduate students and post-doctoral researches working on ultracold gases will benefit from this book, as well as researchers from other fields who wish to gain an overview of the recent fascinating developments in this very dynamically evolving field. Sufficient level of both detailed high level research and a pedagogical approach is maintained throughout the book so as to be of value to those entering the field as well as advanced researchers. Furthermore, both experimentalists and theorists will benefit from the book; close collaboration between the two are continuously driving the field to a very high level and will be strengthened to continue the important progress yet to be made in the field.

After a brief review of quantum mechanics and a summary of conventional atomic theory, H. Friedrich discusses the structure of atomic spectra on the basis of quantum defect theory, which is treated for the first time at such a basic level in a textbook. Special attention is given to highly excited states and to the influence of external fields, which can cause intricate and interesting effects in seemingly simple systems. After a chapter on reaction theory the final chapter treats special topics such as multiphoton absorption and chaos. The book contains the kind of advanced quantum mechanics needed for practical applications in modern atomic physics. The presentation is kept deliberately simple and avoids abstract formalism as far as possible.

This book provides advanced undergraduate and graduate students with an overview of the fundamentals of cold and ultracold chemistry. Beginning with definitions of what cold and ultracold temperatures mean in chemistry, the book then takes the student through the essentials of scattering theory (classical and quantum mechanical), light-matter interaction, reaction dynamics and Rydberg physics. The author aims to show the reader the richness of the topic while motivating students to understand the fundamentals of these intriguing reactions and underlying connecting relationships. Including material which was previously only found in specialized review articles, this book provides students working in the fields of ultracold gases, chemical physics and physical chemistry with the tools they need to immerse themselves in the realm of cold and ultracold chemistry. This book opens up the exciting chemical laws which govern chemistry at low temperatures to the next generation of researchers.

“A lovely, fascinating book, which brings science to life.” —Alan Lightman Combining science, history, and adventure, Tom Shachtman “holds the reader’s attention with the skill of a novelist” as he chronicles the story of humans’ four-centuries-long quest to master the secrets of cold (Scientific American). “A disarming portrait of an exquisite, ferocious, world-ending extreme,” Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold demonstrates how temperature science produced astonishing scientific insights and applications that have revolutionized civilization (Kirkus Reviews). It also illustrates how scientific advancement, fueled by fortuitous discoveries and the efforts of determined individuals, has allowed people to adapt to—and change—the environments in which they live and work, shaping man’s very understanding of, and relationship, with the world. This “truly wonderful book” was adapted into an acclaimed documentary underwritten by the National Science Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, directed by British Emmy Award winner David Dugan, and aired on the BBC and PBS’s Nova in 2008 (Library Journal). “An absorbing account to chill out with.” —Booklist

This century has seen the development of technologies for manipulating and controlling matter and light at the level of individual photons and atoms, a realm in which physics is fully quantum-mechanical. The dominant experimental technology is the laser, and the theoretical paradigm is quantum optics.The Quantum World of Ultra-Cold Atoms and Light is a trilogy, which presents the quantum optics way of thinking and its applications to quantum devices. This book — 'Ultra-Cold Atoms' — provides a theoretical treatment of ultra-cold Bosons and Fermions and their interactions with electromagnetic fields in a form consistent with the first two books in the trilogy.The central concept is the quantum stochastic paradigm, formulated for cold collision physics. For Bosons, this yields a suite of techniques; versions of the stochastic Gross-Pitaevskii equation, using which a wide range of dynamic and thermal properties are formulated.The eBook editions of the 'Quantum World Trilogy' feature an extensive system of hyperlinks for ease of cross reference within the books, as well as links to the other books in the trilogy. In the section Viewing the eBooks we explain how these links work, and give some advice on appropriate pdf viewer applications.

"The last four decades have witnessed a renaissance of atomic physics thanks to the spectacular theoretical and experimental achievements in atom cooling and trapping. These advancements have made major contributions to achieving complete control over single quantum systems. Applications such as atom lasers, quantum computers, optical tweezers, atomic conveyor belts, quantum simulators, among others, will be fundamental to future technologies. This book-whose author has been actively researching the field for about three decades-is the first to popularize the field of atomic physics and aims to help a broad audience fully appreciate the mentioned advancements. It provides the basic prerequisite knowledge, the historical and scientific roots of the field, and the most important applications. Taming the Atom is written for science students, science fans, educators, and science communicators. The rich bibliography makes it also useful for graduate students and researchers in the field"--