The Adventure of Cold Atoms. From Optical Pumping to Quantum Gases
Presenter: Claude Cohen-Tannoudji
Published: July 2015
Age: 18-22 and upwards
Views: 1325 views
Tags: optical;pumping;laser;cooling;polarise;polarize
Type: Lectures
Source/institution: Lindau-Nobel
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Conservation laws are very important in quantum physics. Two examples of applications will be given. First, optical pumping which uses transfer of angular momentum from polarized photons to atoms to produce highly polarized atomic gases. Then, laser cooling which uses transfer of linear momentum from photons to atoms to produce large forces, allowing one to cool these atoms at extremely low temperatures and to get atomic gases with quantum properties. Various applications of optical pumping and laser cooling will be briefly reviewed showing how long term basic research is essential for improving our understanding of the world and for giving rise to a wealth of important applications.