| Atom Optics Softcover Repri Edition Contributor(s): Meystre, Pierre (Author) |
|
 |
ISBN: 1441929304 ISBN-13: 9781441929303 Publisher: Springer OUR PRICE: $104.49 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: December 2010 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Science | Physics - Nuclear - Science | Physics - Quantum Theory - Science | Astronomy |
| Dewey: 535.15 |
| Series: Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics |
| Physical Information: 0.69" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (1.02 lbs) 312 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: One of the most profound revolutions brought about by quantum mechanics is that it does away with the distinction between waves and particles: atoms, in particular, can exhibit all the properties that we associate with wave phenomena, such as diffraction and interference; it has recently even become possible to prepare collections of atoms in coherent states, like those of photons in a laser beam. These developments are at the core of the rapidly expanding field of atom optics. --Atom Optics gradually leads the reader from elementary concepts to the frontiers of the field. It is organized in three parts, linear, nonlinear, and quantum atom optics. After a review of light forces on atoms and of laser cooling, the first part discusses the application of light forces to atom optical elements such as gratings, mirrors and lenses, matter-wave diffraction, and atomic traps and resonators. The discussion of nonlinear atom optics starts with a review of collisions from a viewpoint that clearly demonstrates its profound analogy with nonlinear optics. The last part, quantum atom optics, first recalls key results of many-body theory in a formulation geared specifically toward atom optics. This is followed by a discussion of atomic Bose-Einstein condensation and "atom lasers." The final chapters treat such applications as atomic solitons, four-wave mixing, superradiance, and conclude with the coherent amplification of matter waves. --An online web component to the book, a gateway to atom optics, contains links to the leading references and journals in the field, to research sites, and to updates for the contents of the book. FROM THE REVIEWS: Atom optics today has reached maturity: It has become both wave (coherent) and nonlinear atom optics. Of course that expansion required generalization in a new book. Pierre Meystre has taken just such a generalist approach in his timely ATOM OPTICS. His were the pioneering works in atom optics; to get information from the first explorer is always most valuable to the reader Recommend ed] to all strata of the physics community. PHYSICS TODAY |