Atom-Field Interactions and Dressed Atoms

A comprehensive introduction to the theory of the interaction between atoms and electromagnetic fields.

G. Compagno (Author), R. Passante (Author), F. Persico (Author)

9780521019729, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 15 September 2005

384 pages, 34 b/w illus.
23 x 15.5 x 2.3 cm, 0.612 kg

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory of the interaction between atoms and electromagnetic fields, an area which is central to the investigation of the fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics. The first four chapters describe the different forms of the interaction between atoms and radiation fields. The rest of the book deals with how these interactions lead to the formation of dressed states, in the presence of vacuum fluctuations, as well as in the presence of external fields. Also covered are the role of dressed atoms in quantum measurement theory, and the physical interpretation of vacuum radiative effects. Treating a key field on the boundary between quantum optics and quantum electrodynamics, the book will be of great use to graduate students, as well as to established experimentalists and theorists, in either of these areas.

Preface
1. Classical electromagnetic field in the absence of sources
2. Quantum electromagnetic field in the absence of sources
3. The quantum matter field
4. Electrodynamics in the presence of sources
5. Atoms dressed by a real electromagnetic field
6. Dressing by zero-point fluctuations
7. Energy density around dressed atoms
8. Further considerations on the nature of dressed states
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Atomic & molecular physics [PHM]