INGLESE

English

1) Semiconductor lasers as spectroscopic tools;
2) Widths and shapes of spectral lines;
3) Laser-gas interaction and Doppler-limited spectroscopic techniques;
4) High sensitivity spectroscopy;
5) Non-linear spectroscopy;
6) Introduction to laser cooling and trapping.

- Principles of Laser – O. Svelto, Springer
- Laser Spectroscopy 1 Basic principles– W. Demtroder, Springer
- Laser Spectroscopy 2 Experimental Techniques– W. Demtroder, Springer
- Collisional Effects on Molecular Spectra – J.M. Hartmann, C. Boulet and D. Robert, Elsevier

- Knowledge and understanding:
The course intends to provide an overview of laser spectroscopy for fundamental investigations and applied research. It covers a wide range of modern techniques for ultra-sensitive detection of radiation-matter interaction, as well as high-resolution studies in atomic and molecular physics. In addition, it provides a brief introduction to lineshape theory. At the end of the course, the students will acquire a deep knowledge of the most advanced methods for the interrogation of matter at the atomic level.
- Applying knowledge and understanding:
On completion of the course, the student should be able to describe and explain fundamental concepts of semiconductor laser physics; compare the operation and properties of a number of common lasers; describe and compare the most advanced methods in laser spectroscopy as well as their applications; apply the acquired knowledge to develop and use laser spectrometers.
Concerning communicative skills, the course will develop the student's ability in presenting in a clear and rigorous ways laser technologies and spectroscopic methods.

Electromagnetism; Optics; Atomic physics; Optoelectronics.

The course is structured in 48 hours of frontal lectures.
Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended.

The examination consists in an oral interview based on the discussion of the topics treated during the course, with a typical duration of 40 minutes. Together with the evaluation of the degree of knowledge and understanding reached by the student, the interview is aimed to evaluate the students' ability in managing laser spectroscopic techniques.

This course is recommended for the study track dealing with Atoms, Molecules and Photons

1) Semiconductor lasers as spectroscopic tools: Semiconductor diode lasers, quantum cascade lasers, interband cascade lasers – operation principles and properties (1 ECTS).
2) Widths and shapes of spectral lines: Natural width, Doppler broadening effect, Collisional effects, Voigt profile, Transit-time, power and saturation broadenings, Collisional narrowing, Speed-dependent effects (1 ECTS).
3) Laser-gas interaction and Doppler-limited spectroscopic techniques: Linear Absorption Spectroscopy, Photoacoustic Spectroscopy, Fluorescence Spectroscopy (0.5 ECTS).
4) High sensitivity spectroscopy: Frequency-Modulation spectroscopy, Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy, Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy, Optical Feedback Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy; Noise-Immune Cavity-Enhanced Optical Heterodyne Molecular Spectroscopy (1.5 ECTS).
5) Non-linear spectroscopy: Hole burning, Lamb Dip, Saturation spectroscopy experimental schemes, Intra-cavity Saturation Spectroscopy, Polarization spectroscopy basic principle, shape and magnitude of polarization signals (1 ECTS).
6) Introduction to laser cooling and trapping: Optical cooling and trapping of atoms, Optical molasses, Magneto-Optical Trap, Induced Dipole Forces in a Radiation Field, Optical Tweezers (1 ECTS).