Laser Cooling and Trapping (Graduate Texts in Contemporary Physics) [Hardcover]

Harold J. Metcalf (Author), Peter van der Straten (Author), Peter Straten (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387987479 | ISBN-13: 978-0387987477 | Publication Date: September 29, 1999 | Edition: 1

Laser cooling is a relatively new technique that has led to insights into the behavior of atoms as well as confirming with striking detail some of the fundamental notions of quantum mechanics, such as the condensation predicted by S.N. Bose. This elegant technique, whereby atoms, molecules, and even microscopic beads of glass, are trapped in small regions of free space by beams of light and subsequently moved at will using other beams, provides a useful research tool for the study of individual atoms and clusters of atoms, for investigating the details of chemical reactions, and even for determining the physical properties of individual macromolecules such as synthetic polymers and DNA. Intended for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students who have some basic knowledge of optics and quantum mechanics, this text begins with a review of the relevant results of quantum mechanics, it then turns to the electromagnetic interactions involved in slowing and trapping atoms and ions, in both magnetic and optical traps. The concluding chapters discuss a broad range of applications, from atomic clocks and studies of collision processes to diffraction and interference of atomic beams at optical lattices and Bose-Einstein condensation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews:

"A strong recommendation for any book in one's own field is to see it written the way you would have written it. This is certainly the case here. If you are a researcher or a teacher in laser cooling and trapping or a related field of atomic, molecular, and optical physics, then this is a a ~must buya (TM) text for your bookshelf. And buy one for your students too, because your copy will inevitably disappear." The Physicist

.,."For its intended use, which is to guide newcomers into the field of laser cooling and trapping, the book does a superb joba ]The book is well placed to evolve with the field for many years to come." Physics Today

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 323 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (September 29, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387987479
• ISBN-13: 978-0387987477
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,043,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to get a good understanding of laser cooling., June 14, 2000

By 

Jaime (College Park, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Laser Cooling and Trapping (Graduate Texts in Contemporary Physics) (Paperback)

Laser cooling and trapping techniques have given researchers new tools to explore the atom's dynamics and control. The book gives a good introduction to the forces that arise when an atom interacts with a light (laser) field, and puts a lot of emphasis on giving the reader an excellent idea of what's going on when atoms and photons interact.

Rather than giving all the details of the mathematical and quantum mechanics background that is needed to understand the subject the authors concentrate on giving a clearer picture of the real physics involved.

The book starts with a review of the quantum mechanics principles used to understand laser cooling and trapping, which serves as a good remainder for a person who already has a basic grasp of it.

Although all the mathematical analysis that shows how the formulas and mathematical expressions are derived is not done in the book, the presentation is sufficient to guide the readers interested in it do the work by themselves.

The book also has an excellent reference guide that an interested person can use to get all the mathematical and experimental details on the field.