Prerequisite: Electromagnetic fields, Quantum Electronics or another similar level Quantum mechanics course.

 

Coherent atom-field phenomena deals with the interactions of atoms with laser fields, consisting of pulses shorter than the natural relaxation times of atoms. In this case the population of different atomic levels evolves coherently (before spontaneous decay takes place). The description of the physics of such systems comprises from both Maxwell equations for light and the Schrodinger equation for the atom. This gives the most rigorous approach to laser theory, laser–matter interactions, and the propagation of laser radiation. Such formalism covers basic phenomena such as Rabi flopping, Rapid Adiabatic Passage, and Electromagnetically Induced Transparency. Further more, this formalism can also describe the extreme nonlinear process of high-harmonic-generation which involves coherent driving of ionization and recombination by a high-intensity laser field.