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  • © 2018

Theoretical Femtosecond Physics

Atoms and Molecules in Strong Laser Fields

Authors:

  • Focuses on the interaction of atomic-scale matter with strong and short laser pulses
  • Updated edition with new sections on many-electron atoms and on multi-dimensional spectroscopy
  • Includes 44 exercises with worked-out solutions

Part of the book series: Graduate Texts in Physics (GTP)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
  2. Prerequisites

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. A Short Introduction to Laser Physics

      • Frank Grossmann
      Pages 3-17
    3. Time-Dependent Quantum Theory

      • Frank Grossmann
      Pages 19-84
  3. Applications

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 85-85
    2. Field-Matter Coupling and Two-Level Systems

      • Frank Grossmann
      Pages 87-112
    3. Atoms in Strong Laser Fields

      • Frank Grossmann
      Pages 113-172
    4. Molecules in Strong Laser Fields

      • Frank Grossmann
      Pages 173-256
  4. Supplements

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 257-257
    2. Solutions to Problems

      • Frank Grossmann
      Pages 259-310
  5. Erratum to: Time-Dependent Quantum Theory

    • Frank Grossmann
    Pages E1-E1
  6. Back Matter

    Pages 311-318

About this book

This textbook extends from the basics of femtosecond physics all the way to some of the latest developments in the field. In this updated edition, the chapter on laser-driven atoms is augmented by the discussion of two-electron atoms interacting with strong and short laser pulses, as well as by a review of ATI rings and low energy structures in photo-electron spectra. In the chapter on laser-driven molecules a discussion of 2D infrared spectroscopy is incorporated.

Theoretical investigations of atoms and molecules interacting with pulsed lasers up to atomic field strengths on the order of 10^16 W/cm² are leading to an understanding of many challenging experimental discoveries. The presentation starts with a brief introduction to pulsed laser physics. The basis for the non-perturbative treatment of laser-matter interaction in the book is the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. Its analytical as well as numerical solution are laid out in some detail. The light field is treated classically and different possible gauges for the field-matter interaction are discussed. Physical phenomena, ranging from paradigmatic Rabi-oscillations in two-level systems to the ionization of atoms, the generation of high-order harmonics, the ionization and dissociation of molecules, as well as the control of chemical reactions are presented and discussed on a fundamental level. In this way, the theoretical background for state of the art experiments with strong and short laser pulses is given.

The new text is augmented by several additional exercises and now contains a total of forty-eight problems, whose worked-out solutions are given in the last chapter. In addition, some detailed calculations are performed in the appendices. Furthermore, each chapter ends with references to more specialized literature.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Saxony, Germany

    Frank Grossmann

About the author

Frank Grossmann obtained his diploma in Physics at the University of Stuttgart (1989) and a PhD from the University of Augsburg (1992). After postdoctoral stays in the US (at the University of Washington and at Harvard University (as a Feodor Lynen fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt foundation), as well as at the University of Notre Dame) the habilitation and the “venia legendi” were obtained at the University of Freiburg (Germany) in 1998. At his present institution, Technische Universität Dresden, the “venia legendi” was granted in 2000. Up to the present date he is working in teaching as well as in research at the “Institut für Theoretische Physik” in the “Theoretical Atomic and Molecular Physics” group. Several research stays led to the Weizmann Institute (Israel), ITAMP (Cambridge, USA), Kyoto University (Japan), as well as Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).

 

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access