Preface page xi Part I Atom–light interaction 1 1 The classical physics pathway 3 2 Interaction of two-level atoms and light 16 3 The atom–light interaction 40 4 “Forbidden” transitions 64 5 Spontaneous emission 80 6 The density matrix 93 7 The hydrogen atom 107 8 Fine structure 131 9 Effects of the nucleus 149 10 The alkali-metal atoms 164 11 Atoms in magnetic fields 181 12 Atoms in electric fields 198 13 Rydberg atoms 208 14 The helium atom 227 15 The periodic system of the elements 244 16 Molecules 272 17 Binding in the hydrogen molecule 303 18 Ultra-cold chemistry 321 19 Optical forces and laser cooling 347 20 Confinement of neutral atoms 367 21 Bose–Einstein condensation 382 22 Cold molecules 413 23 Three-level systems 433 24 Fundamental physics 448 Part IV Appendix 465 Appendix A Notation and definitions 467 Appendix B Units and notation 471 Appendix C Angular momentum in quantum mechanics 473 Appendix D Transition strengths 479 References 490 Index 508