1) Knowledge and understanding: Students are expected to become familiar with the basic concepts of atomic physics and the related practical quantum mechanics applications. 2) Applying knowledge and understanding: Students are expected to be able to apply the concepts learned along the course to modern problems and experiments in AMO physics. 3) Making judgments: Students should be able to identify the approximations involved in the description of quantum effects with atoms and molecules, and the required conditions for their experimental test. 4) Communication skills: Students should be able to illustrate the experimental basis of atomic physics with appropriate language and illustrations. 5) Learning skills: At the end of the course, students should have developed the know-how to delve into the the topics of the course by reading research articles in AMO physics.

Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics is required. Basic knowledge in classical optics and physics of matter are helpful.

The course aims to provide the tools for understanding fundamental phenomena and experimental techniques in the broad field of atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) physics, which play an increasingly important role in modern condensed matter physics and quantum information sciences. Building on the paradigm of a two-level quantum system, a substantial part of the course is devoted to light-matter interactions in the semi-classical and quantum regimes, touching upon important applications such as laser cooling and trapping, cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) and the generation of entangled states between atoms and photons. Discussing the structure of atoms and molecules with gradually increasing complexity, the course covers essential aspects of atomic and molecular spectroscopy. The final part of the course focuses on modern applications such as optical atomic clocks and experimental platforms for quantum simulation and computing, enabling students to acquire the necessary knowledge to understand recent research developments in the AMO physics field. Course outline: Practical cooking recipes in quantum mechanics, Two-level quantum systems, Two-level atom and its interaction with a monochromatic electromagnetic field, Dressed states, Bloch vector description, AC Stark shift and dipole traps, Fourier-limited linewidth and power broadening, Ramsey interferometry and spin echo, Optical Bloch equations, Absorption by an atomic sample and Doppler broadening, Radiation forces and laser cooling, Reminder of hydrogen atom structure and dipole approximation, Paul traps, Fine and hyperfine structure, Helium atom, Many-electron atoms, Diatomic molecules, Molecular orbitals in diatomic molecules, Rotation and vibration of molecules, Optical resonators and radiation modes, Quantization of the radiation field, Coherent states and squeezed states, Homodyne detection, Quantum light-atom interactions, Atom in an optical resonator (Jaynes-Cummings model), Rydberg atoms, Quantized Rabi oscillations and generation of Schrödinger's cat states, Introduction to optical lattice atomic clocks, Introduction to quantum simulation and computation with neutral atoms and ions.

C. J. Foot, "Atomic Physics"; C. C. Gerry & P. L. Knight, "Introductory Quantum Optics"; D. Steck, "Quantum and Atom Optics"; W. Demtröder, "Atoms, Molecules and Photons".

Practical cooking recipes of quantum mechanics, Two-level quantum systems, Two-level atom and its interaction with a monochromatic electromagnetic field (Rabi model), Dressed states, Bloch vector description, AC Stark shift and dipole traps, Adiabatic passage, Fourier-limited linewidth and power broadening, Ramsey interferometry and spin echo, Optical Bloch equations, Absorption by an atomic sample and Doppler broadening, Radiation forces, Laser cooling and optical molasses, Recap of the hydrogen atom structure and dipole approximation, Paul traps, Fine and hyperfine structure, Helium atom, Many-electron atoms, Diatomic molecules, Molecular orbitals in diatomic molecules, Rotation and vibration of molecules, Optical resonators and radiation modes, Quantization of the radiation field, Coherent states and squeezed states, Homodyne detection, Quantized field-atom interactions, Atom in an optical resonator (Jaynes-Cummings model), Rydberg atoms, Quantized Rabi oscillations and generation of Schrödinger's cat states, Introduction to optical lattice atomic clocks, Introduction to quantum simulation and computation with neutral atoms and ions.

Blackboard lectures with possible aid of slides. Homework problem assignments will be given out periodically, and will be solved and discussed during tutorial sessions. Students will be encouraged to read autonomously research articles related to the topics discussed during the course.

See Moodle website of the course.

Questions / requests: francesco.scazza_at_units.it

Oral examination. To pass the exam, the student must demonstrate that she/he has acquired the physical concepts, methods and applications presented in the course. The exam will include the presentation of a research paper chosen by the student. In addition, solved problem sheets (assigned during the course) must be submitted to the teacher in order to be admitted to the oral exam.