The Physics Department houses one of the world's major centers for research in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics, and in the related field of laser physics, described in a later section. Several recent faculty appointments have augmented UConn's traditionally strong activity in this diverse field, both experimental and theoretical. Areas of particular emphasis include laser spectroscopy, cooling and trapping of atoms and molecules, collisional studies involving gases and surfaces, molecular physics, high intensity laser research, and quantum optics. The common goal of this work is to gain a fundamental understanding of the interactions of atoms, molecules, and electromagnetic radiation. The research spans energies from ultracold collisions, where , to high-temperature ionized gases and (with accelerated ion beams) into the kiloelectron volt and megaelectron volt regimes.

The Department's high activity level in AMO physics has fostered numerous collaborative projects both within the Department and outside it. This creates opportunities for interdisciplinary graduate research in newly emerging research areas. One example is the award of a major multi-investigator grant in 1996 that funds new research on collisions of trapped atoms and molecules, techniques for creating ultracold molecules and related work on exotic states of atomic matter. Other active collaborations include colleagues in industry, in government laboratories, and at other major research universities. This diversity helps graduate students to examine options both for traditional and nontraditional careers in physics.

The remainder of this section outlines some of the current AMO activities in the Department. Though listed by subfield for convenience, many of these projects are closely interwoven with one another and with other Department activities such as laser physics and condensed matter research.

Information provided  by: http://www.phys.uconn.edu