Light propagation in ultracold atomic gases [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Stefan Rist

Universitat Auto`noma de Barcelona Universita¨t UlmGrup d’Optica Abteilung fu¨r QuantenphysikDirectora de la Tesis: Betreuer der Doktorarbeit:Prof. Dr. Giovanna Morigi Prof. Dr. W. P. SchleichLight PropagationIn Ultracold Atomic GasesTesis doctoral del DissertationDepartament de F´ısica zur Erlangung des Doktorgradesde la Dr. rer. nat.Universitat Auto`noma de Barcelona der Fakulta¨t der Naturwissenschaftender Universita¨t Ulmvorgelegt vonpresentat pelStefan Rist stefan.rist@uab.esnascut a Donaueschingen. aus Donaueschingen.Barcelona/Ulm 2010That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me.But, it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck outof it, and think how different its course would have been. Pause youwho read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron orgold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but forthe formation of the first link on one memorable day.Charles Dickens (Great Expectations)The following information concerns the rules of the university of Ulm:Amtierender Dekan: Prof. Dr. Axel GroßErstgutachter: Prof. Dr. Giovanna MorigiZweitgutachter: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Peter SchleichTutor bei UAB: Prof. Dr. Gaspar OrriolsTag der Promotion: 02.02.2011ContentsIntroduction 11 Quantum Field Theory of Atoms Interacting with Photons 51.1 Classical Hamiltonian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61.2 Quantum Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .