Lecture "Quantum Optics" (winter term 2013/14)

Lecturer: Norbert Schuch

(This is a mirror copy of the original course website at RWTH Aachen.)

Overview

Quantum Optics deals with the quantum mechanical description of light and its interaction with matter. This lecture will provide an introduction to the field of quantum optics, covering the basics of the field as well as recent developments such as the controlled manipulation of individual photons and atoms using e.g. cavities or ion traps.

Planned topics include:

  • Quantization of the light field
  • States of the light field: Coherent states, squeezed states, Fock states
  • Non-classical statistics of qu antum mechanical light
  • Interaction of light with matter: The Jaynes-Cummings model
  • Noise in quantum optics, spontaneous emission and absorption
  • Collective effects, superradiance, lasers
  • Manipulation of atoms and light in cavities and ion traps
  • Light forces on atoms, laser cooling, optical lattices

Prerequisites

Quantum mechanics ( ideally including basics of second quantization and mixed states), and basics of electrodynamics.

Material

Lecture notes

Exercise sheets

Literature & online resources

Organisatorial issues

The lecture takes place Monday 16:30-18:00 in 26C401, starting 14. Oct. 2013. The tutorial is given by Shabir Barzanjeh, it takes place Wednesday 12:00-12:45 in Room 116 in Modulbau 2, starting 23. Oct. 2013.

Exercise sheets are posted on Tuesday and should be handed in the following Monday.

There is an L2P site for the lecture which will be used for communications (please contact me if you can't sign up in L2P yourself). Lecture notes and exercise sheets will also be posted on this website.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning the lecture.