Interactions in Ultracold Gases From Atoms to Molecules

Presents a survey of the physics of ultracold atoms and molecules taking into consideration the various research on ultracold phenomena, such as Bose Einstein condensation and quantum computing. This book covers contemporary experimental results on atom and molecule cooling, as well as the theoretical treatment.

The physics of ultracold atoms and molecules is extensively surveyed, including phenomena such as Bose-Einstein condensation, strongly interacting quantum gases and ultracold molecules. Arising from a combined workshop and training school, the book contains tutorial introductions on optical cooling, quantum collisions, experimental methods, degenerate gases, and cold molecules. Topical reports review the main research lines in the field of atomic and molecular quantum gases, and many short contributions highlight specific recent achievements. Numerous highly-renowned researchers have contributed to this book, making it equally useful as an introductory text for the advanced student and the senior researcher.

Matthias Weidemüller is head of the Laser Cooling Group at the Max-Planck-Institute for Nuclear Physics and Lecturer of Physics at the University of Heidelberg. After studying Physics in Bonn, Munich and Paris he attained his doctorate in 1995 at the Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics. He spent two years as a Postdoc at the University of Amsterdam and the FOM-Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics, before entering the Max-Planck-Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg. His group experimentally explores the physics of ultracold atomic and molecular gases in very different environments ranging from tiny optical traps to large-scale heavy-ion storage rings.

Claus Zimmermann is Professor for Experimental Physics at the University of Tübingen in Germany. In 1990 he attained his doctorate at the Max-Planck Institut for Quantum Optics in Munich in the research group of Prof. T. Hänsch. He was appointed full Professor at the University of Tübingen in 1998. His scientific activities range from laser development, non-linear optics and precision spectroscopy to optical cooling and ultra cold quantum gases.