Atomic, Molecular & Optical (AMO) Physics
Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics is the study of matter-matter and light-matter interactions at the atomic and molecular level, typically dealing with one or a few atoms/molecules. It focuses on understanding the structure of atoms, molecules, and their interactions with electromagnetic fields.
This branch is quite broad, and research directions can vary significantly, though they all involve light–matter interactions. In general, AMO research often requires a combination of experimental and theoretical skills. A typical project may involve aspects such as optical setup and laser alignment, electronics and mechanical instrumentation, data analysis and simulations, as well as a theoretical understanding of the underlying physical processes.
Some subfields in AMO includes:
Quantum Optics & Quantum Information
- Focuses on the interaction of light with quantum systems, including topics like entanglement, cavity QED, and quantum computing.
Laser Physics & Photonics
- Covers laser systems, optical materials, waveguides, and device-level applications. Related courses are often offered in the ECE department.