Preface page xiPart I Atom?Clight interaction 11 The classical physics pathway 32 Interaction of two-level atoms and light 163 The atom?Clight interaction 404 “Forbidden” transitions 645 Spontaneous emission 806 The density matrix 937 The hydrogen atom 1078 Fine structure 1319 Effects of the nucleus 14910 The alkali-metal atoms 16411 Atoms in magnetic fields 18112 Atoms in electric fields 19813 Rydberg atoms 20814 The helium atom 22715 The periodic system of the elements 24416 Molecules 27217 Binding in the hydrogen molecule 30318 Ultra-cold chemistry 32119 Optical forces and laser cooling 34720 Confinement of neutral atoms 36721 Bose?CEinstein condensation 38222 Cold molecules 41323 Three-level systems 43324 Fundamental physics 448Part IV Appendix 465Appendix A Notation and definitions 467Appendix B Units and notation 471Appendix C Angular momentum in quantum mechanics 473Appendix D Transition strengths 479References 490Index 508