PHYS5550 Topics in Theoretical Physics (Quantum Optics)
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PHYS5550 Topics in Theoretical Physics (Quantum Optics)

Concept of photons, properties and applications of nonclassical light, photo-detection of optical coherence, photon-atom interaction models, quantum theory of damping, laser theory, atom coherence effects and an introduction to quantum communication. Students are advised to take PHYS4021 or its equivalent before taking this course. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
Lecturer

Prof. Chi Kwong Law
Office: Science Centre North Block 307, Tel: 39434334, 
Email: cklaw@phy.cuhk.edu.hk
Consultation Hour: Thursday 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Teaching Assistant(s)

Mr. Dehan WANG
Office: SC 315
Email: dhwang@link.cuhk.edu.hk
Consultation Hour: Monday 4:30 pm - 6:15 pm

Lecture Class

Monday 09:30-11:15 (Lee Shau Kee Building 302)
Wednesday 09:30-10:15 (Lady Shaw Bldg LT3)

Tutorial Class

Wednesday 10:30-11:15 (Lady Shaw Bldg LT3)

Midterm exam

February 27, 2023. (Monday's class)

Final exam

To Be Announced.

Reference Books

1. C. Cohen-Tannoudji, J. Dupont-Roc, G. Grynberg: Photons, and Atoms. An Introduction to Quantum Electrodynamics (Wiley, New York 1989) 
2. C. Cohen-Tannoudji, J. Dupont-Roc, G. Grynberg: Atom-Photon Interactions (Wiley, New York 1992) 
3. M.O. Scully, M. S. Zubairy: Quantum Optics (Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge 1996) 
4. R. Loudon: The Quantum Theory of Light (Oxford 2000) 

Ebook online (via CUHK):

P. Meystre: Quantum optics (Taming the quantum)
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-76183-7

Assessment Scheme

Homework 30%
Midterm 30%
Final examination 40%

Course Outline

Chapter 1: Quantization of electromagnetic fields 
Chapter 2: Quantum states in single-mode fields 
Chapter 3: Photon statistics and coherence functions 
Chapter 4: Quantum entanglement
Chapter 5: Photon-atom interactions 
Chapter 6: Decoherence in open quantum systems