Official description

This course will examine the physics of the quantum electromagnetic field, and its interaction with other quantum mechanical objects.  The broad purpose of the course is to equip students with the tools and background needed to connect with current research in quantum optics.

Outline of topics:  Quantization of the electromagnetic field modes; coherent states, Fock states, squeezed states, etc.  Density matrices, dissipation, decoherence, and master equations.  Quantum fluctuations and limits on measurement.  Atom-photon interactions.  Integrated nonlinear quantum optics.