Quantum Optics: An Introduction (Oxford Master Series in Physics, 6) [Paperback]

Mark Fox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 22, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0198566735 | ISBN-13: 978-0198566731

Most previous texts on quantum optics have been written primarily for the graduate student market at PhD level and above. Quantum optics: an introduction aims to introduce a wide range of topics at a lower level suitable for advanced undergraduate and masters level students in physics. The text is divided into four main parts, covering modern topics in both pure and applied quantum optics: I Introduction and background material. II. Photons. III. Atom-photon interactions. IV. Quantum information processing. The emphasis of the subject development is on intuitive physical understanding rather than mathematical arguments, although many derivations are included where appropriate. The text includes numerous illustrations, with a particular emphasis on the experimental observations of quantum optical phenomena. Each chapter includes worked examples, together with 10-15 exercises with solutions. Six appendices are included to supplement the main subject material.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I do not know a comparable quantum optics textbook aimed at undergraduates."--Physics Today

"... very well written ... a modern introduction to quantum optics and its applications."--Vlatko Vedral, University of Leeds

"... the writing is very good and readable. There is a good balance between description and mathematics. I also appreciate a text written by an experimentalist on this topic. It is good to have the experimental intricacies mentioned. And the worked examples are well done."--Steven Cundiff, JILA, University of Colorado

"... excellent for an introductory course in quantum optics."--Klaus Moelmer, Aarhus University, Denmark

"...a genuinely interesting experiment in undergraduate education could be put together on the basis of Fox's textbook." Physics Today

About the Author

Dr A M Fox is Reader in Physics, Dept of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 22, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198566735
• ISBN-13: 978-0198566731
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Nuclear Physics > Atomic & Nuclear Physics
  • #74 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Solid-State Physics
  • #99 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Optics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction to Quantum Optics, May 9, 2007

By 

P. Mathew (Ringgold, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quantum Optics: An Introduction (Oxford Master Series in Physics, 6) (Paperback)

I developed an interest in quantum optics in my last year of undergraduate school but I became discouraged with it since every book that I picked up on the subject was esoteric and too involved for an introduction. It seemed as if NONE of the quantum optics textbooks available were appropriate as an introduction. But then I found this book.

Although not as mathematically intensive as I was hoping for it to be, it explains the physics very well. And although it doesn't compensate for many years of post-graduate study, I was able to better understand research papers in quantum optics due to this book.

The book follows a rather traditional approach to developing quantum optics...first starting off with a discussion of important results in electromagnetism, classical optics, and quantum mechanics...then progressing to the theory of photons (discussing photon statistics, coherent states, and second quantization (with regard to photon number states)). Furthermore, it discusses the essential "backbone" of quantum optics (light-matter interactions) and then applications of quantum optics (quantum computing, quantum entanglement, etc.).

I broke the rules and skipped ahead to the applications section and I must say that everything seems to make sense because of Fox's ability to convey difficult ideas in a simple, easy-to-understand manner.

For anybody just starting to take an interest in quantum optics (like I was at one point), I would strongly suggest this book. It's not as mathematically sophisticated as Loudon's "The Quantum Theory of Light" (which is another must-have for quantum optics), but it's an excellent introduction.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent undergraduate introduction, July 10, 2008

By 

Physics Undergrad (Caltech) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Quantum Optics: An Introduction (Oxford Master Series in Physics, 6) (Paperback)

Fox does a great job explaining a complex and dense field from an intuitive and experimental standpoint. I read this book after one term of 1-D introductory Q.M. and everything made sense. The experiments and set-ups described throughout the book are a great tool and were particularly handy since I was using the book to get ready for a summer internship in a Quantum Optics group. The only downside is that the book is quite lacking from a theoretical standpoint. If you are a bit more comfortable with Q.M., say at the level of Shankar, Liboff, or Sakuri, try Knight instead. Nonetheless, this is a great book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A proper introducton, January 19, 2008

By 

R. G. W. Brown "Physicist & Flutist" (Tustin, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Quantum Optics: An Introduction (Oxford Master Series in Physics, 6) (Paperback)

At last we have a text that provides a comprehensive introduction to quantum optics for the beginner - both theory and experiment - and one which takes you through many of the most recent concepts and potential applications in computation, cryptography and teleportation etc.

A feature of this text is the clear explanations and carefully explained jargon - it's NOT just mostly a collection of math like some other supposedly introductory texts.

If you want to find out what quantum optics is all about - this is a great book to start with.