The propagation of light in 'dense media' where dipole-dipole interactions play a role is a fundamental topic that was first studied in the work of Clausius, Mossotti, Lorenz and Lorentz in the latter half of the nineteenth century. However, until recently there remained some areas of controversy: for example, whereas the Lorentz model for a gas predicts a resonance shift, a discrete dipole model does not. This thesis makes the first combined measurement of both the Lorentz shift and the associated collective Lamb shift. This clear experimental result stimulated new theoretical work that has significantly advanced our understanding of light propagation in interacting media.

Matter wave interferometry is a promising and successful way to explore truly macroscopic quantum phenomena and probe the validity of quantum theory at the borderline to the classic world. Indeed, we may soon witness quantum superpositions with nano to micrometer-sized objects. Yet, venturing deeper into the macroscopic domain is not only an experimental but also a theoretical endeavour: new interferometers must be conceived, sources of noise and decoherence identified, size effects understood and possible modifications of the theory taken into account. This thesis provides the theoretical background to recent advances in molecule and nanoparticle interferometry. In addition, it contains a physical and objective method to assess the degree of macroscopicity of such experiments, ranking them among other macroscopic quantum superposition phenomena."

This book describes selected problems in contemporary spectroscopy in the context of quantum mechanics and statistical physics. It focuses on elementary radiative processes involving atomic particles (atoms, molecules, ions), which include radiative transitions between discrete atomic states, the photoionization of atoms, photorecombination of electrons and ions, bremsstrahlung, photodissociation of molecules, and photoattachment of electrons to atoms. In addition to these processes, the transport of resonant radiation in atomic gases and propagation of infrared radiation in molecular gases are also considered. The book subsequently addresses applied problems such as optical pumping, cooling of gases via laser resonance radiation, light-induced drift of gas atoms, photoresonant plasma, reflection of radio waves from the ionosphere, and detection of submillimeter radiation using Rydberg atoms. Lastly, topical examples in atmospheric and climate change science are presented, such as lightning channel glowing, emission of the solar photosphere, and the greenhouse phenomenon in the atmospheres of the Earth and Venus. Along with researchers, both graduate and undergraduate students in atomic, molecular and atmospheric physics will find this book a useful and timely guide.

This work focuses on new electromagnetic decay mode in nuclear physics. The first part of the thesis presents the observation of the two-photon decay for a transition where the one-photon decay is allowed. In the second part, so called quadrupole mixed-symmetry is investigated in inelastic proton scattering experiments. In 1930 Nobel-prize winner M. Goeppert-Mayer was the first to discuss the two-photon decay of an exited state in her doctoral thesis. This process has been observed many times in atomic physics. However in nuclear physics data is sparse. Here this decay mode has only been observed for the special case of a transition between nuclear states with spin and parity quantum number 0+. For such a transition, the one-photon decay - the main experimental obstacle to observe the two-photon decay - is forbidden. Furthermore, the energy sharing and angular distributions were measured, allowing conclusions to be drawn about the multipoles contributing to the two-photon transition. Quadrupole mixed-symmetry states are an excitation mode in spherical nuclei which are sensitive to the strength of the quadrupole residual interaction. A new signature for these interesting states is presented which allows identification of mixed-symmetry states independently of electromagnetic transition strengths. Furthermore this signature represents a valuable additional observable to test model predictions for mixed-symmetry states.

Various experimental techniques have been advanced in recent years to measure non-equilibrium energy transformations on themicroscopic scale of single molecules. In general, the systems studied inthe correspondingexperiments are exposed to strong thermal fluctuations and thus the relevant energetic variables such as work and heat become stochastic.

This thesis addresses challenging theoretical problems in this active field of current research: 1) Exact analytical solutions of work and heat distributions for isothermal non-equilibrium processes in suitable models are obtained; 2) Corresponding solutions for cyclic processes involving two different heat reservoirs are found; 3) Optimization of periodic driving protocols for such cyclic processes with respect to maximal output power, efficiency and minimal power fluctuations is studied.

The exact solutions for work and heat distributionsprovide areference for theoretical investigations of more complicated models, giving insight into the structure of the tail of work distributions andserving asvaluable test cases for simulations of the underlying stochastic processes."

"Advances in Quantum Chemistry" presents surveys of current topics in this rapidly developing field that has emerged at the cross section of the historically established areas of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. It features detailed reviews written by leading international researchers. This volume focuses on thetheory of heavy ion physics in medicine.
"Advances in Quantum Chemistry" presents surveys of current topics in this rapidly developing field and this volume focuses on the theory of heavy ion physics in medicine."

Advances in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics publishes reviews of recent developments in a field that is in a state of rapid growth, as new experimental and theoretical techniques are used on many old and new problems. Topics covered include related applied areas, such as atmospheric science, astrophysics, surface physics and laser physics. Articles are written by distinguished experts and contain relevant review material and detailed descriptions of important recent developments.

This book focuses on the assessment of different coal gasification technologies for the utilization of Russian coals with analyses of economically feasible process chains for preparation of marketable products from high-ash coals. The work presented is important in view of the general competitiveness that marks the future of coal in the world. As the cheapest form of fuel (in comparable terms) coal will undoubtedly be in demand resources in the world. The book consists of parts which include an overview about the major coal characteristics, detailed discussion of fundamental aspects of gasification technologies and gasifiers, an introduction into annex concepts, an overview about different technologies of syngas utilization, technical and economic assessment of several coal-to-liquid and coal-to-chemicals routes, and feasibility demonstration for selected process chains. This book is addressed to the management and engineers of Russian coal companies and scientific staff of Russian research institutions working in the field of coal utilization.

"Advances in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics" publishes reviews of recent developments in a field that is in a state of rapid growth, as new experimental and theoretical techniques are used on many old and new problems. Topics covered include related applied areas, such as atmospheric science, astrophysics, surface physics and laser physics. Articles are written by distinguished experts and contain relevant review material and detailed descriptions of important recent developments.
International experts
Comprehensive articles
New developments"

This thesis focuses on the study and characterization of entanglement and nonlocal correlations constrained under symmetries. It includes original results as well as detailed methods and explanations for a number of different threads of research: positive partial transpose (PPT) entanglement in the symmetric states; a novel, experimentally friendly method to detect nonlocal correlations in many-body systems; the non-equivalence between entanglement and nonlocality; and elemental monogamies of correlations. Entanglement and nonlocal correlations constitute two fundamental resources for quantum information processing, as they allow novel tasks that are otherwise impossible in a classical scenario. However, their elusive characterization is still a central problem in quantum information theory. The main reason why such a fundamental issue remains a formidable challenge lies in the exponential growth in complexity of the Hilbert space as well as the space of multipartite correlations. Physical systems of interest, on the other hand, display symmetries that can be exploited to reduce this complexity, opening the possibility that some of these questions become tractable for such systems.

This thesis describes the first detection of a nuclear transition that had been sought for 40 years, and marks the essential first step toward developing nuclear clocks. Atomic clocks are currently the most reliable timekeepers. Still, they could potentially be outperformed by nuclear clocks, based on a nuclear transition instead of the atomic transitions employed to date. An elusive, extraordinary state in thorium-229 seems to be the only nuclear transition suitable for this purpose and feasible using currently available technology. Despite repeated efforts over the past 40 years, until recently we had not yet successfully detected the decay of this elusive state. Addressing this gap, the thesis lays the foundation for the development of a new, better frequency standard, which will likely have numerous applications in satellite navigation and rapid data transfer. Further, it makes it possible to improve the constraints for time variations of fundamental constants and opens up the field of nuclear coherent control.

This book is exceptional in offering a thorough but accessible introduction to calorimetry that will meet the needs of both students and researchers in the field of particle physics. It is designed to provide the sound knowledge of the basics of calorimetry and of calorimetric techniques and instrumentation that is mandatory for any physicist involved in the design and construction of large experiments or in data analysis. An important feature is the correction of a number of persistent common misconceptions. Among the topics covered are the physics and development of electromagnetic showers, electromagnetic calorimetry, the physics and development of hadron showers, hadron calorimetry, and calibration of a calorimeter. Two chapters are devoted to more promising calorimetric techniques for the next collider. Calorimetry for Collider Physics, an introduction will be of value for all who are seeking a reliable guide to calorimetry that occupies the middle ground between the brief chapter in a generic book on particle detection and the highly complex and lengthy reference book.

Providing the chemical physics field with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations in every area of the discipline, the latest volume of Advances in Chemical Physics continues to provide significant, up-to-date chapters written by internationally recognized researchers.
This volume is essentially devoted to helping the reader obtain general information about a wide variety of topics in chemical physics. Advances in Chemical Physics, Volume 114 includes chapters addressing vibrational energy flow, discrete variable representations and their utilization, the unified theory of photochemical charge separation, and the association, dissociation, acceleration, and suppression of reactions by laser pulses.

Extensions to the No-Core Shell Model presents three extensions to the No-Core Shell Model (NCSM) that allow for calculations of heavier nuclei, specifically for the p-shell nuclei. The Importance-Truncated NCSM (IT-NCSM) formulated on arguments of multi-configurational perturbation theory selects a small set of basis states from the initially large basis space in which the Hamiltonian is diagonalized. Previous IT-NCSM calculations have proven reliable, however, there has been no thorough investigation of the inherent error in the truncated IT-NCSM calculations. This thesis provides a detailed study of IT-NCSM calculations and compares them to full NCSM calculations to judge the accuracy of IT-NCSM in heavier nuclei. When IT-NCSM calculations are performed, one often needs to extrapolate the ground-state energy from the finite basis (or model) spaces to the full NCSM model space. In this thesis a careful investigation of the extrapolation procedures was performed. On a related note, extrapolations in the NCSM are commonplace, but up to recently did not have the ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) physics under control. This work additionally presents a method that maps the NCSM parameters into an effective-field theory inspired framework, in which the UV and IR physics are treated appropriately. The NCSM is well-suited to describe bound-state properties of nuclei, but is not well-adapted to describe loosely bound systems, such as the exotic nuclei near the neutron drip line. With the inclusion of the Resonating Group Method (RGM), the NCSM / RGM can provide a first-principles description of exotic nuclei and the first extension of the NCSM.

From fabrication to testing and modeling this monograph covers all aspects on the materials class of magneto active polymers. The focus is on computational modeling of manufacturing processes and material parameters. As other smart materials, these elastomers have the ability to change electrical and mechanical properties upon application of magnetic fields. This allows for novel applications ranging from biomedical engineering to mechatronics.

This book covers the complete spectrum of the fundamentals of clocked, regenerative comparators, their state-of-the-art, advanced CMOS technologies, innovative comparators inclusive circuit aspects, their characterization and properties. Starting from the basics of comparators and the transistor characteristics in nanometer CMOS, seven high-performance comparators developed by the authors in 120nm and 65nm CMOS are described extensively. Methods and measurement circuits for the characterization of advanced comparators are introduced. A synthesis of the largely differing aspects of demands on modern comparators and the properties of devices being available in nanometer CMOS, which are posed by the so-called nanometer hell of physics, is accomplished. The book summarizes the state of the art in integrated comparators. Advanced measurement circuits for characterization will be introduced as well as the method of characterization by bit-error analysis usually being used for characterization of optical receivers. The book is compact, and the graphical quality of the illustrations is outstanding. This book is written for engineers and researchers in industry as well as scientists and Ph.D students at universities. It is also recommendable to graduate students specializing on nanoelectronics and microelectronics or circuit design.

In this volume, contributions covering the theoretical and practical aspects of multicomponent crystals provide a timely and contemporary overview of the state-of-the art of this vital aspect of crystal engineering/materials science. With a solid foundation in fundamentals, multi-component crystals can be formed, for example, to enhance pharmaceutical properties of drugs, for the specific control of optical responses to external stimuli and to assemble molecules to allow chemical reactions that are generally intractable following conventional methods. Contents Pharmaceutical co-crystals: crystal engineering and applications Pharmaceutical multi-component crystals: improving the efficacy of anti-tuberculous agents Qualitative and quantitative crystal engineering of multi-functional co-crystals Control of photochromism in N-salicylideneaniline by crystal engineering Quinoline derivatives for multi-component crystals: principles and applications N-oxides in multi-component crystals and in bottom-up synthesis and applications Multi-component crystals and non-ambient conditions Co-crystals for solid-state reactivity and thermal expansion Solution co-crystallisation and its applications The salt-co-crystal continuum in halogen-bonded systems Large horizontal displacements of benzene-benzene stacking interactions in co-crystals Simultaneous halogen and hydrogen bonding to carbonyl and thiocarbonylfunctionality Crystal chemistry of the isomeric N,N'-bis(pyridin-n-ylmethyl)-ethanediamides, n = 2, 3 or 4 Solute solvent interactions mediated by main group element (lone-pair) (aryl) interactions

In this book, the equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of continuous phase transitions are studied in various systems, with a special emphasis on understanding how well-established universal traits at equilibrium may be extended into the dynamic realm, going beyond the paradigmatic Kibble-Zurek mechanism of defect formation. This book reports on the existence of a quantum phase transition in a system comprising just a single spin and a bosonic mode (the quantum Rabi model). Though critical phenomena are inherent to many-body physics, the author demonstrates that this small and ostensibly simple system allows us to explore the rich phenomenology of phase transitions, both in- and out-of-equilibrium. Moreover, the universal traits of this quantum phase transition may be realized in a single trapped-ion experiment, thus avoiding the need to scale up the number of constituents. In this system, the phase transition takes place in a suitable limit of system parameters rather than in the conventional thermodynamic limit - a novel notion that the author and his collaborators have dubbed the finite-component system phase transition. As such, the results gathered in this book will open promising new avenues in our understanding and exploration of quantum critical phenomena.

This book offers a detailed examination of the latest work on the potential of polarized fuel to realize the vision of energy production by nuclear fusion. It brings together contributions from nuclear physicists and fusion physicists with the aims of fostering exchange of information between the two communities, describing the current status in the field, and examining new ideas and projects under development. It is evident that polarized fuel can offer huge improvements for the first generation of fusion reactors and open new technological possibilities for future generations, including neutron lean reactors, which could be the most popular and sustainable energy production option to avoid environmental problems. Nevertheless, many questions must be resolved before polarized fuel can be used for energy production in the different reactor types. Readers will find this book to be a stimulating source of information on the key issues. It is based on contributions from leading scientists delivered at the meetings "Nuclear Fusion with Polarized Nucleons" (Trento, November 2013) and "PolFusion" (Ferrara, July 2015).

Radiation from spectral lines can be absorbed and re- emitted many times in atomic vapours before it reaches the boundaries of the container encasing the vapour. This effect is known as radiation trapping. It plays an important role practically everywhere where atomic vapours occur, e.g. in spectroscopy, in gas lasers, in atomic line filters, in the determination of atomic lifetimes, in measurements of atomic interaction potentials, and in electric discharge lamps. This book for the first time assembles all the information necessary for a treatment of practical problems, emphasizing both physical insights and mathematical methods. After an introduction that reviews resonance radiation and collisional processes in atomic vapours, physical effects and mathematical methods for various types of problems (e.g. with or without saturation, particle diffusion, reflecting cell walls, etc.) are explained in detail. The last part of the book describes the applications of these methods to a variety of practical problems like cross-section measurements or the design of discharge lamps.

"EPR of Free Radicals in Solids: Trends in Methods and Applications, 2nd ed. "presents a critical two volume review of the methods and applications of EPR (ESR) for the study of free radical processes in solids. Emphasis is on the progress made in the developments in EPR technology, in the application of sophisticated matrix isolation techniques and in the advancement in quantitative EPR that have occurred since the 1st edition was published. Improvements have been made also at theoretical level, with the development of methods based on first principles and their application to the calculation of magnetic properties as well as in spectral simulations.

"EPR of Free Radicals in Solids I "focuses on the trends in experimental and theoretical methods to extract structural and dynamical properties of radicals and spin probes in solid matrices by continuous wave (CW) and pulsed techniques. It presents simulation techniques and software for CW and pulsed EPR as well as studies of quantum effects at low temperature. The chapters dealing with quantum chemistry methods for the theoretical interpretation of hyperfine coupling tensors and g-tensors have been much extended in this edition and a new chapter on the calculation of zero-field splitting tensors has been added. This new edition is a valuable resource to experimentalists and theoreticians in research involving free radicals, as well as for students of advanced courses in physical chemistry, chemical physics, materials science, biophysics, biochemistry and related fields.

This new edition is a valuable resource to experimentalists and theoreticians in research involving free radicals, as well as for students of advanced courses in physical chemistry, chemical physics, materials science, biophysics, biochemistry and related fields."

Chemical reactions and growth processes on surfaces depend on the diffusion and re-orientation of the adsorbate molecules. A fundamental understanding of the forces guiding surface motion is thus of utmost importance for the advancement of many fields of science and technology. To date, our understanding of the principles underlying surface dynamics remains extremely limited, due to the difficulties involved in measuring these processes experimentally. The helium-3 spin-echo (HeSE) technique is uniquely capable of probing such surface dynamical phenomena. The present thesis extends the field of application of HeSE from atomic and small molecular systems to more complex systems. Improvements to the supersonic helium beam source, a key component of the spectrometer, as well as a detailed investigation of a range of five-membered aromatic adsorbate species are presented. The thesis provides a comprehensive description of many aspects of the HeSE method - instrumentation, measurement and data analysis - and as such offers a valuable introduction for newcomers to the field.

Nature is characterized by a number of physical laws and fundamental dimensionless couplings. These determine the properties of our physical universe, from the size of atoms, cells and mountains to the ultimate fate of the universe as a whole. Yet it is rather remarkable how little we know about them. The constancy of physical laws is one of the cornerstones of the scientific research method, but for fundamental couplings this is an assumption with no other justification than a historical assumption. There is no 'theory of constants' describing their role in the underlying theories and how they relate to one another or how many of them are truly fundamental. Studying the behaviour of these quantities throughout the history of the universe is an effective way to probe fundamental physics. This explains why the ESA and ESO include varying fundamental constants among their key science drivers for the next generation of facilities. This symposium discussed the state-of-the-art in the field, as well as the key developments anticipated for the coming years.