This book contains contributions written by the world-leading scientists in high-resolution laser spectroscopy, quantum optics and laser physics. Emphasis is placed on precision related to results in a variety of fields, such as atomic clocks, frequency standards, and the measurement of physical constants in atomic physics. Furthermore, illustrations and engineering applications of the fundamentals of quantum mechanics are widely covered. It has contributions by Nobel prize winners Norman F. Ramsey, Steven Chu, and Carl E. Wieman and is dedicated to Theodor W. Hänsch on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

InhaltsangabeApplication of Atomic Clocks.- Achievements in Optical Frequency Metrology.- Towards an Optical Hydrogen Clock.- Methane Frequency Standard for Precision Measurements.- The Parametric Frequency-Interval Divider.- External Laser Stabilization.- Miniaturized Laser Magnetometers and Clocks.- High-Noise, Low-Resolution Spectroscopy.- Two-Photon Spectroscopy of Hydrogen.- Precision Spectroscopy on the Lyman-? Transitions of H and He.- Towards Laser Spectroscopy of Antihydrogen.- Ramseyfication of the Resonant Nonlinear Faraday Effect.- Sensitive Detection Techniques of Laser Overtone Spectroscopy.- Multiple-Beam Atom Interferometry: An Overview.- Pursuing Fundamental Physics with Novel Laser Technology.- Precision Optical Measurements and Fundamental Constants.- Quantum Electrodynamics and All That.- Lasers to Test Fundamental Physics in Space.- Measuring the Birefringence of the QED Vacuum.- Observing Mechanical Dissipation in Quantum Vacuum: An Experimental Challenge.- Precision in Length.- Probing an Optical Field with Atomic Resolution.- From Spectral Relaxation to Quantified Decoherence.- Laser Cooling of Trapped Ions.- Conditional Spin Resonance with Trapped Ions.- From Diode Laser to Atom Laser.- Optical Components for a Robust Bose-Einstein Condensation Experiment.- From Atoms to Single Biomolecules Through Bose-Einstein Condensates: Un Saluto da Firenze per Theodor.- Cavity Cooling with a Hot Cavity.- Zeeman-Tuned Slowing: Surfing the Resonance Wave.- A New Approach for Laser Cooling of Calcium.- The Design of Enhancement Cavities for Second Harmonic Generation.- Raman Technique for Femtosecond Pulse Generation.- High-Order Harmonics and White Light: Looking for Fringes and Finding Much More.- MeV Electrons and Positrons from a Femtosecond Table-Top Laser System.- Small Molecules in Intense Laser Fields - Dissociation and Stabilization.- Linear and Nonlinear Raman Spectroscopy of Gases.- Nonlinear Properties of Laser-Generated Giant Surface Acoustic Wave Pulses in Solid Materials.- Radiative Control and Quantum Engineering: Single Atom Wants to Meet Single Photon.- Optical Lattices as a Playground for Studying Multiparticle Entanglement.- Efficient Generation of Polarization-Entangled Photon Pairs with a Laser Diode Source.- Small is Beautiful.- Atomic Looping.- A Toroidal Magnetic Guide for Neutral Atoms.- Si29 Nanoparticles: A New Form of Silicon.- Molecular Self-Assembly.

With contributions by three Nobel Prize winners