Ultracold atoms and molecules: theory, experiment, applications

The aim of the lecture is to provide a broad introduction to the rapidly developing field of ultracold quantum gases of atoms and molecules. Both theoretical and experimental aspects and techniques will be discussed, together with state-of-the-art applications.

Detailed program:

1) Ultracold quantum regime

2) Fine and hyperfine structure of atoms and rotational and vibrational structure of molecules

3) Zeeman and Stark effects

4) Cooling and trapping methods

5) Interatomic and intermolecular interactions

6) Scattering theory at ultralow collision energies

7) Magnetically tunable Feshbach resonances

8) Bose-Einstein condensation and degenerate Fermi gases

9) Quantum simulations with ultracold atoms

10) Formation and control of ultracold molecules with external fields

11) Ultracold controlled chemistry

12) Quantum simulations with ultracold molecules

Selected topics from:

1) J.T.M. Walraven, Atomic Physics lectures notes, University of Amsterdam

2) J.T.M. Walraven, Quantum Gases lectures notes, University of Amsterdam

3) I. Bloch, J. Dalibard, W. Zwerger, "Many-body physics with ultracold gases", Rev. Mod. Phys. 80, 885 (2008)

4) C. Chin, R. Grimm, P. Julienne, E. Tiesinga, "Feshbach resonances in ultracold gases", Rev. Mod. Phys. 82, 1225 (2010)

5) K. M. Jones, E. Tiesinga, P. D. Lett, P. S. Julienne "Ultracold photoassociation spectroscopy: Long-range molecules and atomic scattering" Rev. Mod. Phys. 78, 483 (2006)

6) L. D Carr, D. DeMille, R. V. Krems, J. Ye, "Cold and ultracold molecules: science, technology and applications", New J. Phys. 11, 055049 (2009)

7) M. Tomza, K. Jachymski, R. Gerritsma, A. Negretti, T. Calarco, Z. Idziaszek, P. S. Julienne, "Cold hybrid ion-atom systems", Rev. Mod. Phys. (2019)

Student is familiar with the most important concepts and properties of ultracold atoms and molecules experiments including theoretical and experimental techniques and applications of ultracold systems. Student can also identify the most important achievements and challenges in the field.

Final oral exam corrected by points for the presence. For up to three absences, the lecture is passed and higher presence means higher guaranteed grade at the exam. For more than three absences, each additional absence decreases maximum possible grade by 0.5 (e.g. 4 absences means maximum 4.5 at the exam). For more than 7 absences, the lecture is failed.