Atom Optics [Paperback]

Quantum mechanics does away with the distinction between particles and waves, and one of the more interesting implications of the wave/particle duality - the discovery that atoms may be manipulated in ways analogous to the manipulation of light with lenses and mirrors - has formed the basis for the relatively new field of atom optics. Pierre Meystre's Atom Optics is the first book entirely devoted to this exciting area of research. Reference links to the leading journals in the field, links to research sites, graphics, and updates can be found online.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. l3*