Main description:
Starting from a rather elementary level, this volume includes a self-contained, concise introduction into the quantum theory of matter and develops in detail the quantum theory of light. It presents the approaches needed to cope with the various interaction processes between light and matter and illustrates them by various examples. Recent developments such as the dynamic Stark effect and quantum beats are also covered.
Review quote:
...taken as a whole, the book is remarkably successful, and most students should benefit a great deal from it. Indeed few advanced readers can fail to learn something from the presentation...
Journal of the Optical Society of America
Table of contents:
Preface. List of symbols. 1. What is light? 2. The nature of light: waves or particles? 3. The nature of matter. Particles or waves? 4. Response of quantum systems to classical electromagnetic oscillations. 5. Quantization of the light field. 6. Quantization of electron wave field. 7. The interaction between light field and matter. 8. Quantum theory of coherence. 9. Dissipation and fluctuations in quantum optics. References. Subject index.
Starting from a rather elementary level, this volume includes a self-contained, concise introduction into the quantum theory of matter and develops in detail the quantum theory of light. It presents the approaches needed to cope with the various interaction processes between light and matter and illustrates them by various examples. Recent developments such as the dynamic Stark effect and quantum beats are also covered.
Review quote:
...taken as a whole, the book is remarkably successful, and most students should benefit a great deal from it. Indeed few advanced readers can fail to learn something from the presentation...
Journal of the Optical Society of America
Table of contents:
Preface. List of symbols. 1. What is light? 2. The nature of light: waves or particles? 3. The nature of matter. Particles or waves? 4. Response of quantum systems to classical electromagnetic oscillations. 5. Quantization of the light field. 6. Quantization of electron wave field. 7. The interaction between light field and matter. 8. Quantum theory of coherence. 9. Dissipation and fluctuations in quantum optics. References. Subject index.