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Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics
Atomic, molecular, and optical physics
Atomic, molecular, and optical physics is
the study of matter-matter and light-matter interactions on the scale of single
atoms
or structures containing a few atoms. The three areas are grouped together
because of their interrelationships, the similarity of methods used, and the
commonality of the energy scales that are relevant.
Atomic physics is distinct from
nuclear physics, despite their association in the public consciousness.
Atomic physics is unconcerned with the nuclear processes studied in nuclear
physics, although properties of the nucleus can be important in atomic physics
(e.g., hyperfine splitting).
Molecular physics focuses on multi-atomic structures and
their internal and external interactions with matter and light.
Optical physics is distinct from optics in that it tends to
focus, not on the control of classical light fields by macroscopic objects, but
on the fundamental properties of optical fields and their interactions with
matter in the microscopic realm.
All three areas include both classical and
quantum treatments.
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