Atomic and Laser Physics

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The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (October 2020). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucasThe department researches the interaction of light and matter over an enormous range of conditions, from high-energy plasmas created by the most powerful lasers in the world, to the coherent manipulation of single quantum particles for implementing quantum information processing, to the creation of exotic states of quantum matter such as Bose-Einstein condensation.Research in atomic and laser physics (ALP) involves some of the most rapidly developing areas of physical science and ranges from the fundamental physics of quantum systems to interdisciplinary application of lasers. The themes include the following, using both experiment and theory:

• quantum computation
• quantum cryptography
• quantum chaos
• quantum memories
• optical manipulation of cold atoms and molecules
• ultra-cold matter
• Bose-Einstein condensations
• optical lattices and quantum simulations
• ions traps and entanglement
• non-linear optics
• cavity quantum electrodynamics
• quantum optics
• high-intensity laser interactions
• ultra-fast X-ray science
• laser-plasma science
• attosecond optics
• optical metrology and precision spectroscopy
• fundamental tests of QED
• femtosecond combs
• EPR and NMR for QIP
• laboratory astrophysics

At graduate level, the department primarily offers the DPhil research degree (equivalent to a PhD). In very exceptional cases, it may be possible to do an MSc by Research in Atomic and Laser Physics. There is no graduate taught master's course in ALP. The DPhil is a research degree and you normally start working on your main research project as soon as you arrive.In parallel with your project, you will be expected to attend a taught course in atomic and laser physics in the first year, comprising lectures, seminars and discussion classes at graduate level. Depending on your level of knowledge, the department may also require you to attend lectures in the final year (master's-level) undergraduate course at Oxford. The ALP sub-department provides a detailed timetable and syllabus list for the graduate class. Topics covered include:

• basic light-matter interaction
• photonics and quantum optics
• laser-plasma interactions
• quantum information processing and communication
• trapped particles and quantum gases
• high energy density science

Some subjects, such as laser-plasma interactions and high energy density science, are taught across a number of sub-departments. In addition, the sub-department's journal club focuses on recent research highlights in atomic and laser physics, quantum technologies, and laser-plasma interactions. Active participation is compulsory for first year graduate students. Many other opportunities exist to attend training courses outside the sub-department.

Some 140 countries have attendees at Oxford and some 60% of the total student body is from outside the UK. There are various programs available for international students to help with orientation and integrating with life in Oxford as well as to help with legal matters such as immigration and visas. They can also help with practical matters such as dealing with finances and accessing health care with the National Health Service (NHS). Student life is filled with many traditions as befits a university of Oxford's age. One of these are the balls, held by the colleges with a formal dress code as well as smaller events regularly during the year. The Oxford University Student Union or OUSU, represents students and is their voice in debate about the university as well as organising student life organisations. There are a large number of sports available outside the classroom and many of these are of a high standard. The Boat Race is a famous example of a rowing race with nearby Cambridge University that is watched by up to 10 million TV viewers each year. There are also student newspapers and a radio station as well as performing arts groups. There are also student societies open to students who aren't studying the subject to learn something new and different.

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