After successful completion of the course, students are able to understand the foundations of quantum optics. Quantum optics is the study of the intrinsic quantum properties of light. It provides the framework of many fundamental aspects of quantum physics, such as coherence and quantum entanglement, and it forms the basis of today's quantum technologies, such as quantum computing and quantum communication.

This course gives an introduction to the field of quantum optics and is targeted towards Master students in Physics. The lectures are combined with a weekly journal club. We will explore the quantum properties of light, its interaction with matter on the level of individual photons and atoms, and its applications in modern quantum technologies.

Specifically, we will cover the following topics:

• Semi-classical light-atom interaction, optical Bloch equations
• Quantization of the electromagnetic field
• Fock states, coherent states, squeezed states
• Quantized light-atom interaction, Jaynes Cummings model
• The dressed state picture, quantum Rabi oscillations
• Wigner-Weisskopf theory of spontaneous emission
• Resonance fluoresence spectrum of atoms
• Entanglement, EPR Experiments and Bell’s Inequalities
• Schrödinger Cat States
• Quantum teleportation
• Quantum cryptography
• Quantum Computing & Quantum Simulations with Ion Traps and Neutral Atoms

Examples.

The first lecture will take place on Thursday, 5.10.2023 at 11:00 am s.t., where all further dates for the individual lectures will be discussed.

All further information about the course will be announced via TISS. To receive this information, please make sure that you are registered for the course.

Oral exam at the end of the lecture:

• duration: 25 minutes
• relevant topics: script of the lecture and exercise sheets
• papers discussed in the lecture are not relevant, however, additional knowledge can lead to bonus points
• pen and paper will be provided, no additional aids allowed

Exam dates: February 13th and 22nd from 9am to 13.30pm

Registration until 31.01.: via TISS

Register to get access to lecture and seminar material.

S. Haroche and J.-M. Raimond, "Exploring the Quantum"
D.F. Walls and G. Milburn, "Quantum Optics"
R. Loudon "The quantum theory of Light"
M. Scully and M. Zubrairy "Quantum Optics"

Basic knowledge in quantum mechanics (e.g. the lecture "Quantum Mechanics 1"), and atomic physics (e.g. the lecture "Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics 1").