This thesis demonstrates a full Mach-Zehnder interferometer with interacting Bose-Einstein condensates confined on an atom chip. It relies on the coherent manipulation of atoms trapped in a magnetic double-well potential, for which the author developed a novel type of beam splitter. Particle-wave duality enables the construction of interferometers for matter waves, which complement optical interferometers in precision measurement devices, both for technological applications and fundamental tests. This requires the development of atom-optics analogues to beam splitters, phase shifters and recombiners. Particle interactions in the Bose-Einstein condensate lead to a nonlinearity, absent in photon optics. This is exploited to generate a non-classical state with reduced atom-number fluctuations inside the interferometer. This state is then used to study the interaction-induced dephasing of the quantum superposition. The resulting coherence times are found to be a factor of three longer than expected for coherent states, highlighting the potential of entanglement as a resource for quantum-enhanced metrology.

Microcluster Physics provides a lucid account of the fundamental physics of all types of microclusters, outlining the dynamics and static properties of this new phase of matter intermediate between a solid and a molecule. Since originally published in 1991, the field of microclusters has experienced surprising developments, which are reviewed in this new edition: The determination of atomic structure, spontaneous alloying, super-shell, fission, fragmentation, evaporation, magnetism, fullerenes, nanotubes, atomic structure of large silicon clusters, superfluidity of a He cluster, water clusters in liquid, electron correlation and optimizsation of the geometry, and scattering.

Reviews of Plasma Physics Volume 22, contains two reviews. The first Cooperative Effects in Plasmas by the late B.B. Kadomtsev is based on the second edition of the author's book in Russian which originated from his written lectures for students of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. Kadomtsev intended to publish the book in English and even initiated the translation himself. The book represents a review of the typical plasma cooperative phenomena that determine the behavior of laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. It is characterized by lively language. The first three sections of the review deal with linear and nonlinear phenomena in fluids without a magnetic field. An additional subsection 'Solitons' has been added to the third section. The next two sections address regular nonlinear phenomena in a plasma in a magnetic field. The second review by S.V. Bulanov et al is connected with the contents of the first. The physics of the laser-plasma interaction including such nonlinear processes as wave breaking, the acceleration of charged particles, electromagnetic wave self-focusing, the relativistic soliton and vortex generation, are considered analytically and illustrated using computer simulations.

This book gives guidance to solve problems in electromagnetics, providing both examples of solving serious research problems as well as the original results to encourage further investigations. The book contains seven chapters on various aspects of resonant wave scattering, each solving one original problem. All of them are unified by the authors' desire to show advantages of rigorous approaches at all stages, from the formulation of a problem and the selection of a method to the interpretation of results. The book reveals a range of problems associated with wave propagation and scattering in natural and artificial environments or with the design of antennas elements. The authors invoke both theoretical (analytical and numerical) and experimental techniques for handling the problems. Attention is given to mathematical simulations, computational efficiency, and physical interpretation of the experimental results. The book is written for students, graduate students and young researchers.

A comprehensive survey of recent theoretical and experimental progress in the area of electron-photon interaction and dense media. A state-of-the-art discussion of radiation production, with descriptions of new ideas and technologies that enhance the production of X-rays in the form of channelling, transition and parametric X-ray production. Progress in electron beam physics to produce sub-picosecond electron bunches from low-energy linear accelerators make it possible to produce coherent, high brightness, submillimeter radiation and sub-picosecond X-ray pulses. Micro-undulators in the form of bent crystalline structures hold great promise as future X-ray sources.

Quantum theory is one of the most fascinating and successful constructs in the intellectual history of mankind. Nonetheless, the theory has very shaky philosophical foundations. This book contains thoughtful discussions by eminent researchers of a spate of experimental techniques newly developed to test some of the stranger predictions of quantum physics. The advances considered include recent experiments in quantum optics, electron and ion interferometry, photon down conversion in nonlinear crystals, single trapped ions interacting with laser beams, atom-field coupling in micromaser cavities, quantum computation, quantum cryptography, decoherence and macroscopic quantum effects, the quantum state diffusion model, quantum gravity, the quantum mechanics of cosmology and quantum non-locality along with the continuing debate surrounding the interpretation of quantum mechanics. Audience: The book is intended for physicists, philosophers of science, mathematicians, graduate students and those interested in the foundations of quantum theory.

Applying a unified quantum approach, contributors offer fresh insights into the theoretical developments in the excitation energy transfer processes in condensed matter. This comprehensive volume examines Frenkel and Wannier excitonic processes; rates of excitonic processes; theory of laser sputter and polymer ablation; and polarons, excitonic polarons and self-trapping.

This volume contains the lectures presented at the first course of the Inter national School of Space Chemistry held in Erice (Sicily) from May 10 to May 20 at the 'E. Majorana Centre for Scientific Culture'. The course was attended by 57 participants from 11 countries. The recognition by Professor A. Zichichi that space chemistry is one of the important and rapidly growing scientific disciplines with many and varied appli cations provided the stimulation to initiate this new school. Historically, the study of chemistry in space had its major origins in comets, the solar nebula and circumstellar envelopes before the interstellar medium achieved its current prominence. A remarkably rapid development in interstellar chemistry was precipitated by the discovery of formaldehyde in the late 1960's made possible by the new radio observational techniques. A four atom molecule in interstellar space was indeed a surprise considering that only a short time ear lier there were still arguments about the existence of the simplest of all molecules - the hydrogen molecule. The application of ion-molecule reactions to interstellar cloud chemistry provided a rich variety of new possibilities which were, however, continuously under pressure to keep pace with radio-astronomical discoveries of more and more complex molecules."

Thermal processes are ubiquitous and an understanding of thermal phenomena is essential for a complete description of the physics of nanoparticles, both for the purpose of modeling the dynamics of the particles and for the correct interpretation of experimental data.
This book has the twofold aim to present coherently the relevant results coming from the recent scientific literature and to guide the readers through the process of deriving results, enabling them to explore the limits of the mathematical approximations and test the power of the method. The book is focused on the fundamental properties of nanosystems in the gas phase. For this reason there is a strong emphasis on microcanonical physics. Each chapter is enrichedwith exercises and 3 Appendices provide additional useful materials."

This thesis provides a comprehensive description of methods used to compute the vibrational spectra of liquid systems by molecular dynamics simulations. The author systematically introduces theoretical basics and discusses the implications of approximating the atomic nuclei as classical particles. The strengths of the methodology are demonstrated through several different examples. Of particular interest are ionic liquids, since their properties are governed by strong and diverse intermolecular interactions in the liquid state. As a novel contribution to the field, the author presents an alternative route toward infrared and Raman intensities on the basis of a Voronoi tessellation of the electron density. This technique is superior to existing approaches regarding the computational resources needed. Moreover, this book presents an innovative approach to obtaining the magnetic moments and vibrational circular dichroism spectra of liquids, and demonstrates its excellent agreement with experimental reference data.

Channeling, by its nature, involves a wide and disparate range of disciplines. Crystal preparation, material science, accelerator physics, sophisticated theoretical analysis and, of course, channeling itself all must work in concert in a research program. In spite of the gulfs separating some of these activities, researchers have drawn together over the last decade to carry out remarkable experiments in relativistic channeling and channeling radiation. Several informal workshops on high-energy channeling have been held over he years at Aarhus and Fermilab. However, with the vigorous progress in the field in the last several years it became clear that a more formal, comprehensive workshop was needed along with a book that covered the whole spectrum of the new developments, probed the future, and also laid out some of the foundations of the subject. This volume is the outcome of that process. The organization and preparation of both the volume and the workshop owe much to several outstanding scientific committees. The membership of these included J. Andersen (Aarhus), S. Baker (Fermilab), B. Berman (G. Washington), G. Bologna (Torino), E. Bonderup (Aarhus), S. Datz (Oak Ridge), J. Forster (Chalk River), F. Fujimoto (Tokyo), W. Gibson (Albany), I. Mitchell (Chalk River), Y. Ohtsuki (Waseda), R. Pantell (Stanford), S. Picraux (Sandia), J. Remillieux (Lyon), A. Saenz (NRL), V. Schegelsky (Gatchina), C. Sun (Albany), H. tiberall (Catholic U. ), E. Uggerhcentsj (CERN), and R. Wedell (Humboldt). Others from across the spectrum of scientific disciplines agreed to serve as session chairme

Polarization and Correlation Phenomena in Atomic Collisions: A Practical Theory Course bridges the gap between traditional courses in quantum mechanics and practical investigations. The authors' goal is to guide students in training their ability to perform theoretical calculations of polarization and correlation characteristics of various processes in atomic collisions. The book provides a concise description of the density matrix and statistical tensor formalism and presents a general approach to the description of angular correlation and polarization phenomena. It illustrates an application of the angular momentum technique to a broad variety of atomic processes. The book contains derivations of the most important expressions for observable quantities in electron-atom and ion-atom scattering, including that for polarized beams and/or polarized targets, in photo-induced processes, autoionization and cascades of atomic transitions. Spin-polarization and angular distributions of the reaction products are described, including the angular correlations in different types of coincidence measurements. The considered processes exemplify the general approach and the number of examples can be easily extended by a reader. The book supplies researchers, both theoreticians and experimentalists with a collection of helpful formulae and tables, and can serve as a reference book. Based on a highly regarded course at Moscow State University and elsewhere, the book provides real guidance on theoretical calculations of practical use.

Structured singular light is an ubiquitous phenomenon. It is not only created when light refracts at a water surface but can also be found in the blue daytime sky. Such light fields include a spatially varying amplitude, phase, or polarization, enabling the occurrence of optical singularities. As structurally stable units of the light field, these singularities are particularly interesting since they determine its topology. In this excellent book, the author presents a pioneering study of structured singular light, thereby contributing many original approaches. Especially in the field of polarization and its rich number of different types of singularities the book defines and drives a completely new field. The work demonstrates how to control complex polarization singularity networks and their propagation. Additionally, the author pioneers tightly focusing vectorial beams, also developing an urgently needed detection scheme for three-dimensional nanoscale polarization structures. She also studies classical spatial entanglement using structured light, introducing entanglement beating and paraxial spin-orbit-coupling. The book is hallmarked by its comprehensive and thorough way of describing a plethora of different approaches to structure light by amplitude, phase and polarization, as well as the important role of optical singularities.

In June 25-30, 1995 the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on" PhotoactifOrganic Materials: Science and Applications, devoted to organic materials and their specific responses to the light beam in view of their exploitation in devices was held in Novotel hotel in Avignon, France. It consisted ofplenary lectures, given by leading specialists in tbis field, shorter oral contributions and a poster session. Three working groups discussed more specific aspects related to (i) molecular engineering, (ii) electroluminescence and photorefractive effects as weil as (iii) nonlinear optical response of these materials, respectively. It allowed deeper insights into different problems and aspects of the workshop field. The conclusions of working groups were presented last day by their leaders. These pointed out the progress, problems encountered as weil as possible developments. The presentations have been followed by a plenary, brainstorm . discussion. The talks presented ranged around the working group subjects. Important progress was noted in the field of organic light emitted diodes (LEDls), as discussed and presented by several speakers. Light emission over the entire visible spectrum, from blue to red is possible with organic polymers. Tbis can be done on large, flexible surfaces with low cost. The best organic LEDls show actually the operation life time of 1600 to 1700 hours at room temperature. One expects their commercialization in the near future. Sirnilarly, important progress has been accomplished with photorefractive of merit for these materials are better than those for polymers.

Foreword; J. Davies, D. Burstein. Introductory Remarks; M. Disney. Interstellar grain evolution and temperatures in spiral galaxies; J. Mayo Greenberg, A. Li. Radiative transfer models; G. Bruzual A. Radiative transfer in dusty galaxies; A.N. Witt. Opacity Diagnostics in spiral galaxies; N.D. Kylafis. Modeling dusty galaxies; G. Magris C., G. Bruzual A. Inclination-dependence of spiral galaxy physical properties: history and tests; D. Burstein, et al. Why a distance selection effect invalidates the Burstein, Haynes and Faber opacity test; J.I. Davies, et al. Statistical tests for opacity; E.A. Valentijn. Statistical measures of internal absorption in spiral galaxies; B. Cunow. The distribution of galactic inclinations; H. Jones, et al. Optical thickness of Sb-Scd galaxies from the Tully--Fisher relation; L. Gouguenhei, et al. Extinction in Sc galaxies at I band and in the 21cm line; R. Giovanelli. Extinction in the galaxy and in galactic discs; G. de Vaucouleurs. Properties of dust in backlit galaxies; W. Keel, R.E. White. The optical depth through NGC 3314A; P. James, P. Puxley. Dust extinction in highly inclined spirals; J. Knapen, et al. An optical search for dusty disks; M. Naslund, S. Joersater. Photometric asymmetry and dust opacity of spiral galaxies; Y.I. Byun. The scale-length test for dust in face-on spirals; J.E. Beckman, et al. Color gradients in spiral galaxies; S. Courteau, J. Holtzman. Constraints on the opacity of spiral disks from near-infrared observations; H.W. Rix. Arcsecond resolution of cold dust in spiral galaxies using optical and NIR imaging -- dust masses increase by nine hundred percent; D.L. Block, et al. Unveiling stars and dust in spiral galaxies;R.F. Pelletier, et al. Azimuthal distribution of dust in NGC 2997; P. Grosbol, et al. Internal extinction in spiral galaxies at optical and near infrared wavelengths; A. Boselli, G. Gavazzi. The opacity of spiral galaxy disks; N. Devereux. The far infrared/stellar energy balance; R. Evans. Opacity from luminosity functions; M. Trewhella, et al. Estimating disk opacities using infrared images; W. van Driel. DIRBE observations of galactic extinction; R.G. Arendt, et al. Kinematics of edge-on galaxies and the opacity of spiral disks; A. Bosma. Spectroscopic studies of the disk and halo of M82; C.D. McKeith, et al. Disk origin and evolution; J. Silk. The luminosity and opacity of galaxies; B. Wang. Dust obscuration in starburst galaxies; D. Calzetti. Polarimetry of dusty edge-on galaxies; R.D. Wolstencroft, S.M. Scarrott. HII regions and extinction in the spiral galaxy M83; S. Ryder, et al. A search for dust in galactic halos; D. Zaritsky. Concluding thoughts and reflections: dust in galaxies; H.A. Thronson Jr.

Surfaces and interfaces play an increasingly important role in today's solid state devices. In this book the reader is introduced, in a didactic manner, to the essential theoretical aspects of the atomic and electronic structure of surfaces and interfaces. The book does not pretend to give a complete overview of contemporary problems and methods. Instead, the authors strive to provide simple but qualitatively useful arguments that apply to a wide variety of cases. The emphasis of the book is on semiconductor surfaces and interfaces but it also includes a thorough treatment of transition metals, a general discussion of phonon dispersion curves, and examples of large computational calculations. The exercises accompanying every chapter will be of great benefit to the student.

The study of atomic systems exposed to super-intense laser fields de fines an important area in atomic, molecular and optical physics. Although the concept of super-intense field has no absolute meaning, it is now usual to call an electromagnetic field super-intense when it exceeds the atomic binding field. In the case of the simplest atomic system, hydrogen in its 16 2 ground state, this occurs above an intensity of 3. 5 x 10 Wattfcm which is the atomic unit of intensity. Presently at the laboratory scale and in ex tremely short and tightly focussed laser pulses, the electric field strength 16 18 2 reaches peak values which are of the order of 10 - 10 Wattfcm in the infrared frequency regime, the prospect being that such peak intensities may be reached within a few years in a regime of much higher frequencies (XUV or even X). The interaction of such electromagnetic fields with an atomic system has a highly non-linear character which has led to the observation of to tally unexpected phenomena. There are three fundamental processes which have marked the beginning of an intensive research in the field of super intense laser-atom physics (SILAP). These processes which only involve one atomic electron are (i) the so-called above-threshold ionisation i. e."

General routes to the development of innovative, multi functional nanosystems are described by experts in the field. The systems described are based on fullerenes, nanotubes, metals (Au, Ag, Pt, etc.) and semiconductors (Si, CdS, CdTe, metal oxides), nanocrystals and polymer / biopolymer assembly systems. The book also discusses the realization and characterization of the fundamental properties of nanosystems, defined by nano-size effects, as well as the application of such systems in electronics, optics, magnetoelectronics, spintronics, biomedicine, pharmaceutical biocomplexes, and biosensors.

Volume 21 provides the basis of the MHD theory in two extended reviews. The first review deals with high-temperature plasma equilibrium and stability in conventional stellarators (the steady state three-dimensional magnetic confinement systems). The second review considers the processes in the stationary plasma thrusters (SPT) created by one of the authors, A.I Morozov. In spite of the three-dimensional nature of stellarators, the author of the review, V.D. Pustovitov, has been able to give a concise presentation of basic ideas and results of the rather complicated theory of stellarators, both for specialists and for students in this field. The results of experimental and theoretical investigations of a new type of discharge device, SPT, are presented in the second review. Plasma thrusters generate quasi-neutral multi-ampere streams of ions with particle energies of 50 - 1000eV. They are most widely known as electric propulsion thrusters for spacecraft, and have been mounted onboard more than 50 Russian satellites. In addition, the SPTs are now used in technological systems for processing the surface layers of various products.

This book presents in a concise way the Mie theory and its current applications. It begins with an overview of current theories, computational methods, experimental techniques, and applications of optics of small particles. There is also some biographic information on Gustav Mie, who published his famous paper on the colour of Gold colloids in 1908. The Mie solution for the light scattering of small spherical particles set the basis for more advanced scattering theories and today there are many methods to calculate light scattering and absorption for practically any shape and composition of particles. The optics of small particles is of interest in industrial, atmospheric, astronomic and other research. The book covers the latest developments in divers fields in scattering theory such as plasmon resonance, multiple scattering and optical force.

The twelve chapters of this volume aim to provide a complete manual for using noble gases in terrestrial geochemistry, covering applications which range from high temperature processes deep in the Earth's interior to tracing climatic variations using noble gases trapped in ice cores, groundwaters and modern sediments. Other chapters cover noble gases in crustal (aqueous, CO2 and hydrocarbon) fluids and laboratory techniques for determining noble gas solubilities and diffusivities under geologically relevant conditions. Each chapter deals with the fundamentals of the analysis and interpretation of the data, detailing sampling and sampling strategies, techniques for analysis, sources of error and their estimation, including data treatment and data interpretation using recent case studies.

This book presents the versatile and pivotal role of electron spin interactions in nature. It provides the background, methodologies and tools for basic areas related to spin interactions, such as spin chemistry and biology, electron transfer, light energy conversion, photochemistry, radical reactions, magneto-chemistry and magneto-biology. The book also includes an overview of designing advanced magnetic materials, optical and spintronic devices and photo catalysts. This monograph will be of interest to scientists and graduate students working in the areas related to spin interactions physics, biophysics, chemistry and chemical engineering.

Numerous experiments and calculations have shown that isolated metal clusters possess many interesting features, quite different from those known from surface and solid- state physics or from atomic and molecular physics. The technological exploitation of these new properties, e.g. in miniature electronic or mechanical components, requires the cluster to be brought into an environment such as an encapsulating matrix or a surface. Due to the interaction with the contact medium, the properties of the clusters may change or even disappear. Thus the physics of cluster-on-surface systems -- the main subject of this book -- is of fundamental importance. The book addresses a wide audience, from the newcomer to the expert. Starting from fundamental concepts of adsorbate-surface interactions, the modification of electronic properties through electron confinement, and concepts of cluster production, it elucidates the distinct properties of the new metallic nanostructures.

More than 50 years ago, in 1934, Chadwick and Goldhaber (ChG 34) published a paper entitled "A 'Nuclear Photo-effect' Disintegration of the Diplon by -y-Rays."l in the introduction: They noted "By analogy with the excitation and ionisation of atoms by light, one might expect that any complex nucleus should be excited or 'ionised', that is, disintegrated, by -y-rays of suitable energy," and furthermore: "Heavy hydrogen was chosen as the element first to be examined, because the diplon has a small mass defect and also because it is the simplest of all nuclear systems and its properties are as important in nuclear theory as the hydrogen is in atomic theory." Almost at the same time, in 1935, the first theoretical paper on the photodisinte gration of the deuteron entitled "Quantum theory of the diplon" by Bethe and Peierls (BeP 35) appeared. It is not without significance that these two papers mark the be ginning of photonuclear physics in general and emphasize in particular the special role the two-body system has played in nuclear physics since then and still plays. A steady flow of experimental and theoretical papers on deuteron photo disintegration and its inverse reaction, n-p capture, shows the continuing interest in this fundamental process (see fig. 1.1)."