Comprises a comprehensive reference source that unifies the entire fields of atomic molecular and optical (AMO) physics, assembling the principal ideas, techniques and results of the field. 92 chapters written by about 120 authors present the principal ideas, techniques and results of the field, together with a guide to the primary research literature (carefully edited to ensure a uniform coverage and style, with extensive cross-references). Along with a summary of key ideas, techniques, and results, many chapters offer diagrams of apparatus, graphs, and tables of data. From atomic spectroscopy to applications in comets, one finds contributions from over 100 authors, all leaders in their respective disciplines. Substantially updated and expanded since the original 1996 edition, it now contains several entirely new chapters covering current areas of great research interest that barely existed in 1996, such as Bose-Einstein condensation, quantum information, and cosmological variations of the fundamental constants. A fully-searchable CD- ROM version of the contents accompanies the handbook.

This text provides a summary of the key ideas, techniques and research results in the field of atomic, molecular and optical physics. It is intended to be of interest to all physicians (especially in condensed matter and chemical physics) and engineers, as

A concise overview of the fundamental concepts and applications of atomic physics for students including examples, problems, and diagrams of key concepts.

Thermal Beam Sources / N.F. Ramsey -- Supersonic Beam Sources / M.D. Morse -- Fast Beam Sources / A. Chutjian and O.J. Orient -- Vapor Cells and Heat Pipes / C.R. Vidal -- Free Radical Sources / K.M. Evenson and J.M. Brown -- Sources of Metastable Atoms and Molecules / T.J. Gay -- Production of Rydberg Atoms / T.F. Gallagher -- Laser Cooling and Trapping of Neural Atoms / C.C. Bradley and R.G. Hulet -- Optical State-Preparation of Atoms / J.J. McClelland -- Methods and Applications of Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy / G.S. Hurst and J.E. Parks -- Detection of Metastable Atoms and Molecules / H. Hotop -- Excited Level Lifetime Measurements / J.E. Lawler and T.R. O'Brian -- Doppler-Free Spectroscopy / J.C. Bergquist -- Microwave Spectroscopy / R.D. Suenram and A.M. Andrews -- Fast Beam Spectroscopy / L. Young -- Quantum-Beat, Level-Crossing, and Anticrossing Spectroscopy / T.F. Gallagher -- Atom Interferometry / O.H. Carnal and J. Mlynek -- Classical Spectroscopy. C. Kittrell, Pulsed L ...

This introduction to Atomic and Molecular Physics explains how our present model of atoms and molecules has been developed over the last two centuries both by many experimental discoveries and, from the theoretical side, by the introduction of quantum physics to the adequate description of micro-particles. It illustrates the wave model of particles by many examples and shows the limits of classical description. The interaction of electromagnetic radiation with atoms and molecules and its potential for spectroscopy is outlined in more detail and in particular lasers as modern spectroscopic tools are discussed more thoroughly. Many examples and problems with solutions are offered to encourage readers to actively engage in applying and adapting the fundamental physics presented in this textbook to specific situations. Completely revised third edition with new sections covering all actual developments, like photonics, ultrashort lasers, ultraprecise frequency combs, free electron lasers, cooling and trapping of atoms, quantum optics and quantum information.

This book aims to present a unified account of the physics of atoms and molecules from a modern viewpoint. It is based on courses given by the authors at Middle East Technical University, Ankara and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, and is suitable for study at third and fourth year levels of an undergraduate course.Students should be able to read this volume and understand its contents without the need to supplement it by referring to more detailed discussions. The whole subject covered in this volume is expected to be finished in one semester.