Class Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Room: Math Building 0405

Instructor: Luis A. Orozco, Dept of Physics, CSS 2201, 5-9740, lorozco@umd.edu

Course Description:
This course is an introduction to Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics, with a topical emphasis on modern developments on the field, such as precision spectroscopy, trapping and cooling of atoms, ultra-cold gases, and frequency metrology.

Prerequisites:
First course of Quantum Mechanics PHY 401 or approval of the instructor.

Textbook:  There will be no required textbook. If you are registered in the course you have access to CANVAS where you will find more recent updates to the schedule and the lecture notes.

Course Objectives and expected outcomes:
The purpose of this course is to expose students to aspects of modern research in Atomic >Molecular and Optical Physics, it is not to be a complete survey of either field, but will instead cover selected topics and methods. The center concept will be coherence and its counterpart, decoherence. How atomic, molecular and optical coherence has enabled atomic clocks, gravitational experiments (LIGO), and quantum information. The format will be lecture-based, with some homework and practice in reading, evaluating and writing scientific papers, and emphasis on design of precision measurements and null tests. You will have to give a short presentation at the end. It is very important that you attend class and participate actively.

Topics:
There will be a historical introduction to each topic and then a presentation of recent advances on the topic:
Photoelectric Effect<
Atom Light Interactions
Optical Pumping
Atomic Clocks
Atom cooling
Bose Einstein Condensation
Precision Optical Interferometry
Quantum Information

Grading Scheme:
Writing assignments and oral presentations: 60%
Class participation: 40%