After successful completion of the course, students are able to understand the interaction between light and matter on the level of individual photons and atoms. Specifically, the students will acquire the necessary theoretical skills for
(1) describing semi-classical light-matter interactions using optical Bloch equations,
(2) quantizing the electromagnetic radiation field,
(3) solving the Jaynes-Cummings-model of cavity QED,
(4) modelling spontaneous decay,
(5) explaining the resonance fluorescence spectrum of atoms,
(6) describing STIRAP Processes in three-level systems.
Topics:
(1) semiclassical description of light-atom interactions and optical Bloch equations; (2) quantization of the electromagnetic field; (3) cavity QED and the Jaynes-Cummings model; (4) Wigner-Weisskopf theory of spontaneous emission; (5) resonance fluorescence and the Mollow-triplet; (6) interference effects in three-level-systems
S. Haroche and J.-M. Raimond, "Exploring the Quantum"
D.F. Walls and G. Milburn, "Quantum Optics"
R. Loudons "The quantum theory of Light"
M. Scully and M. Zubrairy"Quantum Optics"
Quantum Mechanics 1, Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics 1
