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Quantum Optics

Vak
2015-2016

Description

This course provides an introduction to the field of quantum optics and studies the interaction of quantum mechanical light with matter. Strong emphasis is placed on modern experiments that serve to illustrate the phenomena that arise when both the atom and the light field are quantized.
Topics:

  • Field Quantization

  • Coherent States

  • Atom-field interactions: Rabi oscillations, Jaynes-Cummings model

  • Quantum and Classical Coherence

  • Interferometers and Beamsplitters

  • Single Photon Interference

  • Nonclassical Light and Squeezed States

  • Dissipation and Decoherence

  • Photon Pair Sources: Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer, experiments violating Bell’s theorem

  • Cavity QED: experiments with Rydberg atoms

  • Applications of Entanglement: Quantum teleportation, optical realizations of gates for quantum computation

Programme form

Lectures, literature discussion and homeworks

Literature

C. Gerry and P. Knight, Introductory Quantum Optics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK (2005), ISBN 0 521 52735 X (paperback)

Schedule

Physics Schedule

Form of examination

Written exam

Prerequisites

Advanced Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics courses at the undergraduate (BSc) level

More information

Lecturer: Dr. M. de Dood (Michiel)

More detailed information will be available to participants via blackboard.