MIT Physics 8.421
Atomic and optical Physics
(2020)
FROM THE COURSE CATALOG
8.421 Atomic and
Optical Physics I
(
)
Prereq: 8.05
Units: 3-0-9
http://web.mit.edu/physics/subjects/index.html
Lecture: MW1-2.30 (56-114)
The first of a two-term subject sequence that
provides the foundations for contemporary research in selected areas of atomic
and optical phsyics. The interaction of radiation
with atoms: resonance; absorption, stimulated and spontaneous emission; methods
of resonance, dressed atom formalism, masers and lasers, cavity quantum
electrodynamics; structure of simple atoms, behavior in very strong fields;
fundamental tests: time reversal, parity violations, Bell's inequalities; and
experimental methods.
W. Ketterle
Textbooks (Spring 2020)
TOPICS:
Introduction
The two-state systems: Resonance
Atoms – electronic structure
Helium atom
Fine structure and Lamb shift
Hyperfine structure; Magnetic fields
Atoms in electric fields
Interaction of an Atom with an Electro-Magnetic Field
Einstein’s A and B coefficient
Saturation of transitions
Line shapes
Two-photon transitions
Coherence
Dicke superradiance
TENTATIVE COURSE
CALENDAR
February 2020
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Monday |
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3 |
4 |
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Class 1 Introduction |
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Class 2 Begin Module 1 |
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10 |
11 |
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14 |
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Class 3 M1.1 |
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Class 4 M1.2 |
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17 |
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20 |
21 |
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No class President’s Day |
Class 5 M 1.3 (Monday schedule at
MIT) |
Class 6 Begin Module 2 |
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24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
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Class 7 M2.2 |
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Class 8 TA-led discussion 1: Sergio Cantu |
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March 2020
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Monday |
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2 |
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Class 9 M2.3 Part 1 |
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Class 10 M2.3 Part 2 |
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Class 11 Begin Module 3 M3.1 Part 1 |
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Class 12 M3.1 Part 2 |
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16 |
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cancelled |
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cancelled |
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23 |
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27 |
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MIT spring break |
MIT spring break |
MIT spring break |
MIT spring break |
MIT spring break |
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30 |
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Class 13 Discussion on atomic
structure |
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April 2020
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Monday |
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Class 14 M3.2 |
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Class 15 M3.3 |
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Class 16 Begin Module 4 M4.1 |
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Class 17 Open discussion and special
topics |
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Class 18 M4.2 |
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24 |
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Patriot’s Day vacation |
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Class 19 M4.3 |
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Class 20 Begin Module 5 M5.1 |
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Class 21 M5.2 Part 1 |
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May 2020
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Monday |
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Class 22 M5.2 Part 2 |
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Class 23 M5.3 |
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Class 24 Last lecture: Wrap up Tem paper due |
MIT Last Day of Classes |
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