NFYK14029U Quantum Optics 2

Volume 2014/2015
Content

The course will introduce the students to topics in modern quantum optics, and should bring the student to a level where they are able to understand the original scientific quantum optics literature.

The course will be an extension on the course “Quantum optics” and will focus on the interaction between light and atoms. The emphasis will be on coherent control of atoms with lasers and on the theoretical description of decoherence and methods to control it.

Topics to be covered will probably include:

  • Coherent effect in atoms: Optical pumping, Ramsay spectroscopy, spin echo, Raman transitions and adiabatic passage.
  • Description of decoherence. Master equations, Monte Carlo wavefunctions, and - Heisenberg-Langevin equations.
  • Laser cooling
  • Bose-Einstein condensation.
Learning Outcome

Knowledge

  • Coherent effects in two level systems such as dressed states, Ramsay spectroscopy, and spin echo.
  • Coherent effects in multilevel systems such as Raman transitions and dark.
  • The description of decoherence and dissipation in terms of master equations, Monte Carlo wavefunctions, and Heisenberg-Langevin equations, as well as methods to control decoherence.
  • Adiabatic processes
  • Doppler and sub-Doppler laser cooling
  • How Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in dilute atomic gasses are created as well as the theoretical description of BEC in terms of Gross-Pitaevski equations

Skills

  • Be able to relate the knowledge gained to how these effects are observed in experiments

Competences
The course will give the students a background to topics in modern quantum optics, as well as to experimental techniques applied, and thus provides a firm basis for further studies in the field. By working with scientific articles the students will practice reading the original scientific literature.

Various notes and articles

The students should have followed the Quantum optics course or something similar. It is assumed that the students have a good background in quantum mechanics, e.g., through following the physics curriculum for the first three years or similar. Also it may be an advantage if the students have followed a course on Optical Physics and Lasers.
Lectures and exercises. A large part of the exercises will consist of reading and discussing scientific articles. These articles will describe experiments in quantum optics which realize the effects discussed in the lectures.
The course is offered every second year.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Exercises
  • 28
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 149,5
  • Total
  • 206,0
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 25 minutes
The student draws one of the exam questions which are given in advance. The student is then expected to talk about the question for approximately 15 minutes followed by a discussion of the rest of the curriculum.
There is no preparation time
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
several internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment

The grade 12 is given to student who clearly demonstrates that the goals are fulfilled with no or only very minor exceptions.

The grade 2 is given for the least acceptable fulfillment of the goal.