This book describes collisions between atoms that have been cooled to extremely low temperatures by optical and evaporative cooling techniques. John Weiner reviews the elements of the quantum theory of scattering, and summarizes the theory and experimental techniques of optical cooling and trapping. He also describes applications to precision spectroscopy, the determination of atomic properties, control of inelastic collisions by laser fields, and the manipulation of Bose-Einstein condensates (mesoscopic quantum systems).

Creativity in Workplace This book considers the process of continuing learning as an asset to team creativity. The implications stemming from a relationship between learning and creativity form the basis for the material introduced in this book. The elements involved include: tools and techniques for effective learning of new information; enhancing the roles of specialists serving on creative teams; team actions to achieve rapid and effective solutions to problems. The knowledge base developed using the new technology facilitates development of a consensus description of what is known about a topic, as well as identifying the missing or inconsistent elements. The members of a creative team can focus their skill, experience, and expertise in developing and evaluating new syntheses. The technology makes learning a cornerstone of creativity in an efficient and effective way.

Cold and ultracold collisions occupy a strategic position at the intersection of several powerful themes of current research in chemical physics, in atomic, molecular and optical physics, and even in condensed matter. The nature of these collisions has important consequences for optical manipulation of inelastic and reactive processes, precision measurement of molecular and atomic properties, matter-wave coherences and quantum-statistical condensates of dilute, weakly interacting atoms. This crucial position explains the wide interest and explosive growth of the field since its inception in 1987. The author reviews elements of the quantum theory of scattering theory, collisions taking place in the presence of one or more light fields, and collisions in the dark, below the photon recoil limit imposed by the presence of any light field. Finally, it reviews the essential properties of these mesoscopic quantum systems and describes the key importance of the scattering length to condensate stability.