Atomic, molecular, and optical physics 48579 223963403 2008-07-06T18:47:42Z Chris the speller 525927 sp, hyphen '''[[Atom|Atomic]], [[Molecule|molecular]], and [[Optics|optical]] [[physics]]''' is the study of [[matter]]-matter and [[light]]-matter interactions on the scale of single [[atom]]s or structures containing a few atoms. The three areas are grouped together because of their interrelationships, the similarity of methods used, and the commonality of the [[energy]] scales that are relevant. [[Physicist]]s sometimes abbreviate the field as ''AMO physics''. All three areas include both [[classical physics|classical]] and [[quantum physics|quantum]] treatments. == Atomic physics == [[Atomic physics]] studies the [[electron]] hull of [[atom]]s. This branch of [[physics]] is distinct from [[nuclear physics]], despite their association in the public consciousness. Atomic physics is not concerned with the intra-nuclear processes studied in nuclear physics, although properties of the nucleus can be important in atomic physics (e.g., [[hyperfine structure]]). Current research focuses on activities in quantum control, cooling and trapping of atoms and ions, low-temperature collision dynamics, the collective behavior of atoms in weakly interacting gases (Bose-Einstein Condensates and dilute Fermi degenerate systems), precision measurements of fundamental constants, and the effects of electron correlation on structure and dynamics.Atomic physics is that branch of physics which deals with the study of atom, particularly extra-nuclear particles like electrons and their behaviour in atom-like interactions with protons, neutrons in the nucleus. == Molecular physics == [[Molecular physics]] focuses on multi-atomic structures and their internal and external interactions with matter and light. Molecular physics is that branch of physics which deals with multi-atomic structures and their behaviour with matter and energy. == Optical physics == [[Optical physics]] is distinct from [[optics]] in that it tends to focus not on the control of classical light fields by microscopic objects, but on the fundamental properties of [[optical field]]s and their interactions with matter in the microscopic realm. See the Wikipedia page on [[optical physics]]. == See also == * subfields: [[atomic physics]], [[molecular physics]], [[spectroscopy]], [[physical chemistry]], [[classical optics]], [[quantum optics]], [[photonics]] * related fields: [[quantum mechanics]], [[quantum chemistry]], [[nano sciences]], [[biophysics]] * [[list of publications in physics#atomic, Molecular, and Optical physics|important publications in atomic, molecular, and optical physics ]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Physics-footer}} [[Category:Atomic, molecular, and optical physics| ]] <!-- [[Category:Physics]] redundant supercat --> [[ar:فيزياء ذرية وجزيئية وبصرية]] [[fa:فیزیک اتمی، مولکولی و نوری]] [[id:Fisika atomik, molekul, dan optik]] [[ms:Fizik atom, molekul, dan optik]] [[ro:Fizică atomică şi moleculară]] [[ru:Физика атомов и молекул]] [[sk:Atómová, molekulová a optická fyzika]] [[sl:Atomska in molekulska fizika]] [[th:ฟิสิกส์อะตอม โมเลกุล และทัศนศาสตร์]]