Physics of Light and Matter
Activities in the Atomic, Molecular and Laser Physics group, carrying out research at the Laser Centre VU, concentrate on the development of advanced lasers (such as frequency comb lasers, ultrastable lasers, extreme ultraviolet lasers and TeraWatt short pulse lasers) and spectroscopic methods to cool, manipulate and trap atoms, molecules and ions for the purpose of performing ultra-precision experiments. The research focuses on a theme of "Fundamental physics at the atomic scale", which we define by searching for a possible variation of fundamental constants, testing quantum-electrodynamic theory in atoms and small molecules, and studying matter at ultra-low temperatures.
In addition we perform "Applied Laser Spectroscopies" in a wide vareity of topics such as atmospheric optics, spectroscopy and light scattering, spectroscopy of astrophysically relevant gas-phase species, sensitive detection of molecules in liquids and mono-layer surfaces, and the development of miniature lasers for length measurement, eg in space.
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