Experimental Methods in Atomic & Molecular Physics

Experimental methods in atomic and molecular physics

MVAMO3

Prof. Dr. José R. Crespo López-Urrutia

This weekly lecture and its corresponding exercises will cover a selection of essential advanced methods in atomic, molecular and optical physics, and the applications of modern quantum physics experiments for the study of fundamental interactions. Some of the themes are: Atom and ion trapping, laser cooling, cold quantum gases, matter interferometry, and ultrashort physics with lasers.

Weekly exercises (~13 in total, classroom discussion at KIP227 planned for Thursdays, 16:15-17:15) have as main task reading, understanding and discussing a recent scientific publication closely related to the lecture in course.

Each exercise sheet consists of several tasks (with 10 points assigned in total for one sheet), such as briefly discussing some essential aspect of the paper, sketching elements of the experimental work, or performing simple calculations and estimates in relation to the relevant atomic physics. The emphasis of the exercises lies in learning how to quickly read and understand scientific papers for gaining an overview on recent advanced experimental studies in these fields. We focus on the essence of the physics of the experiments, and not on performing mathematical tasks.

In order to ensure the quality of the work, each participant has to individually perform the assigned tasks and in a mostly handwritten form. We will not evaluate typesetting or formatting skills, but rather the ability to extract and synthesize key information from papers, supported by the content of the lecture, and to convey this in a clear and short way in handwritten form. This training is also essential for developing an ability in drafting and preparing scientific manuscripts and the corresponding graphs, diagrams, and sketches. While group work and discussions are obviously encouraged, since individual understanding is our goal, each participant has to deliver (by uploading scans or photos) her or his own handwritten sheets. For specific tasks in which, e. g., a brief computer calculation or plot are needed or advantageous, the digital output can be included.

Attendance to the exercise class (classroom discussion at KIP227 planned for Thursdays, 16:15-17:15) is mandatory. Participants have to deliver answers to 70% of the total of tasks, reach about 40% of the total in terms of correct answers, and present and discuss in the class at least two tasks (of assigned 3 points minimum each) to pass the class (4 CP). There will be no final exam; passing is solely based on the submitted sheets and the ongoing involvement in the discussion of exercise sheets.