Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics (eBook)

What happens to light when it is trapped in a box?

Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics addresses a fascinating question in
physics: what happens to light, and in particular to its
interaction with matter, when it is trapped inside a box? With the
aid of a model-building approach, readers discover the answer to
this question and come to appreciate its important applications in
computing, cryptography, quantum teleportation, and
opto-electronics. Instead of taking a traditional approach that
requires readers to first master a series of seemingly unconnected
mathematical techniques, this book engages the readers' interest
and imagination by going straight to the point, introducing the
mathematics along the way as needed. Appendices are provided for
the additional mathematical theory.

Researchers, scientists, and students of modern physics can refer
to Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics and examine the field thoroughly.
Several key topics covered that readers cannot find in any other
quantum optics book include:

* Introduction to the problem of the "vacuum catastrophe" and the
cosmological constant

* Detailed up-to-date account of cavity QED lasers and
thresholdless lasing

* Examination of cavities with movable walls

* First-principles discussion about cavity QED in open
cavities

* Pedagogical account of microscopic quantization in
dielectrics

Complementing the coverage of the most advanced theory and
techniques, the author provides context by discussing the
historical evolution of the field and its discoveries. In that
spirit, "recommended reading," provided in each chapter, leads
readers to both contemporary literature as well as key historical
papers.

Despite being one of many specialties within physics, cavity
quantum electrodynamics serves as a window to many of the
fundamental issues of physics. Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics will
serve as an excellent resource for advanced undergraduate quantum
mechanics courses as well as for graduate students, researchers,
and scientists who need a comprehensive introduction to the field.