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Light-Matter Interaction Course Summary

The document summarizes topics covered in lectures at FAU during the summer semesters of 2018 and 2019, focusing on light-matter interactions and various quantum mechanics applications. Key concepts include stimulated emission, optomechanics, and quantum master equations, with practical applications in laser theory and cooling methods. The course includes recommended textbooks and numerical tools for quantum optics, culminating in a written and oral examination.

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Ravinder Kumar
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13 views1 page

Light-Matter Interaction Course Summary

The document summarizes topics covered in lectures at FAU during the summer semesters of 2018 and 2019, focusing on light-matter interactions and various quantum mechanics applications. Key concepts include stimulated emission, optomechanics, and quantum master equations, with practical applications in laser theory and cooling methods. The course includes recommended textbooks and numerical tools for quantum optics, culminating in a written and oral examination.

Uploaded by

Ravinder Kumar
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Introduction

This is a summary of topics covered during lectures at FAU in the summer semesters 2018 and
2019. A first goal of the class is to introduce the student to the physics of fundamental processes in
light-matter interactions such as:
• stimulated emission/absorption, spontaneous emission
• motional effects of light onto atoms, ions and mechanical resonators (optomechanics)
• electron-vibrations-light coupling in molecules
The main purpose of the class is to build a toolbox of methods useful for tackling real applications
such as cooling, lasing, etc. Some of the general models and methods introduced here and used
throughout the notes are:
• quantum master equations
• the Jaynes (Tavis)-Cummings Hamiltonian
• the Holstein Hamiltonian
• the radiation pressure Hamiltonian
• quantum Langevin equations
• the polaron transformation
Among others, some of the applications presented either within the main course or as exercises
cover aspects of:
• laser theory
• Doppler cooling, ion trap cooling, cavity optomechanics with mechanical resonators
• electromagnetically induced transparency
• optical bistability
• applications of subradiant and superradiant collective states of quantum emitters
Here is a short list of relevant textbooks.
• Milburn
• Gardiner and Zoller
• Zubairy
Other references to books and articles are listed in the bibliography section at the end of the course
notes.
As some numerical methods are always useful here is a list of useful programs and platforms for
numerics in quantum optics:
• Mathematica
• [Link] - A Julia Framework for Open Quantum Dynamics
• QuTiP - Quantum Toolbox in Python
The exam will consist of a 90 mins written part and 15 mins oral examination.

Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, April-July 2019

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