The counter-intuitive aspects of quantum physics have been long illustrated by thought experiments, from Einstein's photon box to Schroedinger's cat. These experiments have now become real, with single particles - electrons, atoms, or photons - directly unveiling the strange features of the quantum. State superpositions, entanglement and complementarity define a novel quantum logic which can be harnessed for information processing, raising great hopes for applications. This book describes a class of such thought experiments made real. Juggling with atoms and photons confined in cavities, ions or cold atoms in traps, is here an incentive to shed a new light on the basic concepts of quantum physics. Measurement processes and decoherence at the quantum-classical boundary are highlighted. This volume, which combines theory and experiments, will be of interest to students in quantum physics, teachers seeking illustrations for their lectures and new problem sets, researchers in quantum optics and quantum information.
Serge Haroche Professor at College de France (Chaire de Physique Quantique) since 2001 Member of the French Academy of Sciences since 1993 Professor at Universite Pierre et Marie Curie (1975-2000) and at Ecole Normale Superieure (1984-2000). Maitre de Conference at Ecole Polytechnique (1975-1984) Professor (part time) at Yale University (1984-1993) Senior Member of Institut Universitaire de France (1991-2000) Fellow of the Americal Physical Society (1990) Prix Ricard of French Physical Society (1983) Michelson Medal of Franklin Insitute (1993) Quantum Electronics Prize of the European Physical Society (2002) Jean-Michel Raimond Professor at Universite Pierre et Marie Curie since 1988 Junior member of Institut Universitaire de France, 1994-1999 Senior member of Institut Universitaire de France, Quantum Optics chair, 2001- Ampere Prize of the French Academy of Sciences with M. Brune, 1998 Charge de recherches CNRS 1983-1988 Attache de recherches CNRS 1979-1983
Title: Exploring the Quantum: Atoms, Cavities, And Photons (Oxford Graduate Texts)
Author: Haroche, Serge
ISBN: 9780199680313
Binding:
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication Date: 2013-04-11
Number of Pages: 616
Weight: 1.1803 kg
`A gem and a must-read for any student of quantum physics, from advanced undergraduate to expert.' Physics Today, August 2007
`This is a wonderfully well-informed book. The authors tackle a difficult subject with beautiful clarity, and elegance. It should be required reading for anyone who wishes to explore the quantum wonders of Nature.' A. Ekert, University of Cambridge