By Stephen C Rand
Oxford University Press
Hardback £39.95 $75
This book attempts to bridge in one step the enormous gap between introductory quantum mechanics and the research front of modern optics and scientific fields that make use of light. Hence, while it is suitable as a reference for the specialist in quantum optics, it will also be useful to non-specialists from other disciplines. With a unique approach it introduces a single analytic tool, the density matrix, to analyse complex optical phenomena encountered in traditional as well as cross-disciplinary research. It moves from elementary to sophisticated topics in quantum optics, including laser tweezers, laser cooling, coherent population transfer, optical magnetism and squeezed light.