Quantum Optics gives a very broad coverage of basic laser-related phenomena that allow scientists and engineers to carry out research in quantum optics and laser physics. It covers the quantization of the electromagnetic field, quantum theory of coherence, atom-field interaction models, resonance fluorescence, quantum theory of damping, laser theory using both the master equation and the Langevin approach, the correlated-emission laser, input-output theory with application in nonlinear optics, quantum trajectories, atom optics, quantum non-demolition measurements and generation of non-classsical vibrational states of ions in a Paul trap. These topics are presented in a unified and didactic manner. The presentation of the book is clear and pedagogical; it balances the theoretical aspects of the optical phenomena with recent relevant experiments.

Klappentext

From the reviews: "The book is well put together, has lots of equations, and is current. I recommend it for the library of any university teaching or researching quantum optics." The Physicist. Australian Inst.

Inhalt

1. Einstein's Theory of Atom-Radiation Interaction.- 2. Atom-Field Interaction: Semiclassical Approach.- 3. Quantization of the Electromagnetic Field.- 4. States of the Electromagnetic Field I.- 5. States of the Electromagnetic Field II.- 6. Quantum Theory of Coherence.- 7. Phase Space Description.- 8. Atom-Field Interaction.- 9. System-Reservoir Interactions.- 10. Resonance Fluorescence.- 11. Quantum Laser Theory. Master Equation Approach.- 12. Quantum Laser Theory. Langevin Approach.- 13. Quantum Noise Reduction I.- 14. Quantum Noise Reduction II.- 15. Quantum Phase.- 16. Quantum Trajectories.- 17. Atom Optics.- 18. Measurements, Quantum Limits and all That.- 19. Trapped Ions.- 20. Decoherence.- A. Operator Relations.- A.1 Theorem 1.- A.2 Theorem 2. The Baker-Campbell-Haussdorf Relation.- A.3 Theorem 3. Similarity Transformation.- B. The Method of Characteristics.- C. Proof of Eq. (12.37).- D. Stochastic Processes in a Nutshell.- D.1 Introduction.- D.2 Probability Concepts.- D.3 Stochastic Processes.- D.3.1 The Chapman-Kolmogorov Equation.- D.4 The Fokker-Planck Equation.- D.4.1 The Wiener Process.- D.4.2 General Properties of the Fokker-Planck Equation.- D.4.3 Steady State Solution.- D.5 Stochastic Differential Equations.- D.5.1 Ito versus Stratonovich Calculus.- D.5.2 Ito's Formula.- D.6 Approximate Methods.- E. Derivation of the Homodyne Stochastic.- Schrödinger Differential Equation.- F. Fluctuations.- Hints for Solutions of Problems.- References.