Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics Grad Programs

[Moonshine]

Hello everybody,

I currently have a degree in chemistry and I am working on another in physics. I plan on going to grad school when I finish the second degree. That will probably be in four years or so. I'm working full time for the next couple of years while taking classes and then I will pursue the physics degree full-time (bills, ugh).

I'm trying to find out what the best graduate programs in atomic, molecular, and optical physics programs are, but I haven't been able to find all that much. I just thought somebody may be able to point me in the right direction.

Also, if anyone wants to chime in with some major problems that are currently being tackled by the AMO community, feel free to do so. Book recommendations would be cool too!

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[SonOfOle]

Bose-Einstein condensation and the study of ultracold gases and molecules are one of the hottest AMO fields right now (and happens to be what I'm pursuing).

JILA/University of Colorado-Boulder is big in AMO.

At Purdue, we're just getting an ultracold atoms and molecules collaboration going between two groups.

Georgia Tech, MIT (esp. Ketterle), Rice (esp. Hulet), and UConn come to mind as places I've been reading a bunch of papers out of. Depends partially if you want to do theory or experiment too, though it may be too early to tell.

 

[Mene]

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on your degrees in both chemistry and physics! That is quite an impressive combination and will definitely open up many opportunities for you in the field of atomic, molecular, and optical physics (AMO).

As for graduate programs, there are many top universities that offer excellent programs in AMO physics. Some notable ones include MIT, Harvard, Caltech, and University of Colorado Boulder. It's important to research and find a program that aligns with your interests and goals. You can also look into the faculty at these universities and see if any of their research interests match yours.

In terms of current problems being tackled by the AMO community, there are numerous exciting areas of research such as quantum computing, precision measurements, and laser cooling and trapping. These are just a few examples, but there are many more. It would be beneficial for you to read up on recent publications and attend conferences to get a better understanding of the current state of the field.

As for book recommendations, some popular ones in the AMO field include "Atomic Physics" by Christopher J. Foot, "Molecular Quantum Mechanics" by Peter W. Atkins and Ronald S. Friedman, and "Optics" by Eugene Hecht. However, it's always a good idea to consult with your professors or colleagues for personalized recommendations based on your specific interests.

I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Best of luck with your studies and future endeavors in AMO physics!