Much of contemporary physics research is based on investigating matter with electromagnetic fields, the theoretical underpinnings of which are termed "light"-matter interaction. Starting from theoretical electromagnetism and basic quantum mechanics, this course will cover the foundational concepts required to describe and understand light-matter interaction and then present applications from current research. 

In addition to students enrolled in the MSc program, the course is suitable for advanced students enrolled in the BSc program who have completed the modules Quantum Mechanics and Theoretical Electrodynamics.

Course content: description of light-matter interaction with the "minimal coupling Hamiltonian", difference between classical and quantum light, perturbative description of light-matter interaction, electric dipole approximation, optical Bloch equations, theoretical foundation of linear and nonlinear spectroscopy, introduction to quantum optics