Elements of Quantum Optics [Hardcover]

Pierre Meystre (Author), Murray Sargent (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 354064220X | ISBN-13: 978-3540642206 | Publication Date: December 17, 1998 | Edition: 3rd

Elements of Quantum Optics gives a broad coverage of the basic elements necessary to understand and carry out research in laser physics and quantum optics. It presents a variety of theoretical tools and important results for two-level and semiconductor media, many of which could only be found in the original literature of in specialized monographs up to now. The text revearls the close connection between many seemingly unrelated topics, such as probe absorption, four-wave mixing, optical instabilities, resonance fluorescence and squeezing. The third edition includes new chapters on atom optics and cavity quantum electrodynamics, as well as expanded discussion of quantum mechanics, system-reservoir interactions and second quantization.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a book that should be found in any physics library. It is extremely useful for all graduate students, Ph.D. students and researchers interested in the quantum physics of light."
Daniela Dragoman, Optics & Photonics News/Nov. 2000

FROM A REVIEW OF THE FIRST EDITION
"Well-written and useful book containing a broad coverage of the basic elements of quantum optics ... brings together seemingly unrelated topics ... through a cogent unified presentation."
(PHYSICS TODAY)

From the Back Cover

Elements of Quantum Optics gives a self-contained and broad coverage of the basic elements necessary to understand and carry out research in laser physics and quantum optics, including a review of basic quantum mechanics and pedagogical introductions to system-reservoir interactions and to second quantization. The text reveals the close connection between many seemingly unrelated topics, such as probe absorption, four-wave mixing, optical instabilities, resonance fluorescence and squeezing. It also comprises discussions of cavity quantum electrodynamics and atom optics. The 4th edition includes a new chapter on quantum entanglement and quantum information, as well as added discussions of the quantum beam splitter, electromagnetically induced transparency, slow light, and the input-output formalism needed to understand many problems in quantum optics. It also provides an expanded treatment of the minimum-coupling Hamiltonian and a simple derivation of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, an important gateway to research in ultracold atoms and molecules. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 3rd edition (December 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 354064220X
• ISBN-13: 978-3540642206
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,871,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book help me finish my Ph. D. disseration in Taiwan, October 13, 2000

By 

Wang-Yau Cheng (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elements of Quantum Optics (Hardcover)

Firstly, I would like to say thanks to the authors, I am an experimentalist who was lack of the theoretical training, I read the book by self-studying. The style of this book inherit the book ¡§Laser physics¡¨ (by Sargent, Scully, Lamb), which is also my favorite. Especially, in the new editing, Meystre update new topics in the field of modern quantum optics (such as cavity QED) which I think also very good for self-study. However, the new typesetting of the book makes me somehow uncomfortable since the spacing of the lines is too compact. I would appreciate the editing/typesetting of the second editing.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant read, November 5, 2005

By 

Mark J. Chang "Tropicalissimo" (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elements of Quantum Optics (Hardcover)

Good as an introductory monograph, poor textbook. All the information is present, but it is not well organized for self learning or course development. Nevertheless it is worth reading if you are interested in this field. If you are new to the material, start elsewhere, then come look at this book.