Atomic Physics
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course intends to introduce the students to the basic principles of the resonant interaction between atoms and electromagnetic radiation. Starting from the semiclassical description of a two-level atom interacting with a monochromatic and quasi-resonant radiation field, they will be able to understand the laser and the different regimes of stimulated, spontaneous and superradiant emission. They will be introduced to the modern techniques of laser cooling and trapping, to the Bose-Einstein condensation and to several collective effects, as the collective atomic recoil laser and the free electron laser.
Expected learning outcomes
The student at the term of the course will have learned the following topics:
A) description of absorption, spontaneous, stimulated and superradiant emission.
B) principles of the laser operation
C) main quantum effects in the emission and absorption of photons by a two-level atom
D) basic principles of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) and a dipole trap, with some overview on more advanced techniques, e.g. the Sisyphus effect.
E) basic principles of Bose-Einstein condensation in harmonic traps
F) collective effects, as the collective atomic recoil laser and the free electron laser
A) description of absorption, spontaneous, stimulated and superradiant emission.
B) principles of the laser operation
C) main quantum effects in the emission and absorption of photons by a two-level atom
D) basic principles of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) and a dipole trap, with some overview on more advanced techniques, e.g. the Sisyphus effect.
E) basic principles of Bose-Einstein condensation in harmonic traps
F) collective effects, as the collective atomic recoil laser and the free electron laser
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Synchronized lectures by remote, using the platform Zoom
URL: zoom.us/my/aula.T
URL: zoom.us/my/aula.T
Course syllabus
1. Theory of the interaction between radiation and matter:
a. Semi-classical resonant interaction atom-radiation theory: coefficient; Rabi solution; Optical Bloch (OB) equations; Vectorial description. Einstein A and B coefficients. Perturbative solution and evaluation of the B coefficient.
Relaxation terms in the OB equations. Maxwell-Bloch equations. Stationary solution and atomic saturation; non-homogeneous broadening. Photon eco and saturation spectroscopy.
b. From the semi-classical theory to quantum theory of radiation: E.m. field quantization and atom-radiation interaction Hamiltonian. Number states and coherent states of radiation. Quantum Rabi oscillations (Jaynes-Cumming solution). Weisskopf-Wigner theory of spontaneous emission. Light fluorescence spectrum, elastic and inelastic spectrum (triplet Mollow).
c. Optical cavity and lasers: Cavity equation and modes. MB equations with a ring cavity (mean field model). Rate equations. Single-mode lasers and Ginzburg-Landau equation. Multi-mode lasers.
d. Transient cooperative phenomena: atomic superradiance.
2. Mechanical effect of radiation: radiation force on two-level atoms. Scattering force. Optical melassa, optical cooling and Doppler limit. Magneto-optical trap (MOT). Dipole force. Sisyphus cooling. Optical gratings.
3. Bose-Einsten Condensates: Brief history of BE condensation and production of BEC with atoms in harmonic traps. Elements of quantum statistics. BE condensation in 3D harmonic traps and in a box. Atom-atom interaction and Gross-Pitaevskii equation. Thomas-Fermi distribution. Bragg diffraction of ultracold atoms.
4. Collective Atomic Recoil Laser (CARL): Classical and quantum models.
b5 Free Electron Laser (FEL): From synchrotron light to FEL. High-gain and x-ray FELs. Analogies between CARL and FEL.
a. Semi-classical resonant interaction atom-radiation theory: coefficient; Rabi solution; Optical Bloch (OB) equations; Vectorial description. Einstein A and B coefficients. Perturbative solution and evaluation of the B coefficient.
Relaxation terms in the OB equations. Maxwell-Bloch equations. Stationary solution and atomic saturation; non-homogeneous broadening. Photon eco and saturation spectroscopy.
b. From the semi-classical theory to quantum theory of radiation: E.m. field quantization and atom-radiation interaction Hamiltonian. Number states and coherent states of radiation. Quantum Rabi oscillations (Jaynes-Cumming solution). Weisskopf-Wigner theory of spontaneous emission. Light fluorescence spectrum, elastic and inelastic spectrum (triplet Mollow).
c. Optical cavity and lasers: Cavity equation and modes. MB equations with a ring cavity (mean field model). Rate equations. Single-mode lasers and Ginzburg-Landau equation. Multi-mode lasers.
d. Transient cooperative phenomena: atomic superradiance.
2. Mechanical effect of radiation: radiation force on two-level atoms. Scattering force. Optical melassa, optical cooling and Doppler limit. Magneto-optical trap (MOT). Dipole force. Sisyphus cooling. Optical gratings.
3. Bose-Einsten Condensates: Brief history of BE condensation and production of BEC with atoms in harmonic traps. Elements of quantum statistics. BE condensation in 3D harmonic traps and in a box. Atom-atom interaction and Gross-Pitaevskii equation. Thomas-Fermi distribution. Bragg diffraction of ultracold atoms.
4. Collective Atomic Recoil Laser (CARL): Classical and quantum models.
b5 Free Electron Laser (FEL): From synchrotron light to FEL. High-gain and x-ray FELs. Analogies between CARL and FEL.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledges are required
Teaching methods
Lectures in remote, synchronized and recordered
Teaching Resources
C. J. Foot, "Atomic Physics", Oxford Univ. Press.
M. O. Scully & M. S. Zubairy, "Quantum Optics", Cambridge Univ. Press.
Notes available on the web platform Ariel.
M. O. Scully & M. S. Zubairy, "Quantum Optics", Cambridge Univ. Press.
Notes available on the web platform Ariel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
oral colloquium about the topics of the course program
FIS/03 - PHYSICS OF MATTER - University credits: 6
Lessons: 42 hours
Professor:
Piovella Nicola Umberto Cesare
Professor(s)