The Physics of Laser-Atom Interactions

This book provides a throrough introduction to the interaction of atoms and atomic ions with optical and magnetic fields. The author places particular emphasis on the wealth of important multilevel effects, where atomic vapors exhibit anisotropic behavior. As well as covering the classic two-level atom approach to light-atom interactions, Suter describes in detail a general multilevel formalism, which he uses to discuss optical pumping, two-dimensional spectroscopy and nonlinear optical dynamics. The final chapter deals with the mechanical effects of light, including the cooling and trapping of atoms. With full theoretical and experimental coverage, and over 250 illustrations, the book will be of great interest to graduate students of laser spectroscopy, quantum electronics and quantum optics, and to researchers in these fields.

1. Introduction; 2. Two-level atoms; 3. Three-level effects; 4. Internal degrees of freedom; 5. Optical pumping; 6. Optically anisotropic vapors; 7. Coherent Raman processes; 8. Sublevel dynamics; 9. Two-dimensional spectroscopy; 10. Nonlinear dynamics; 11. Mechanical effects of light.