Program overview
Atomic and molecular physics is a very "hardcore" yet fascinating field of physics. In simple terms, it studies atoms, molecules, and the interactions and motion laws of their internal electrons and nuclei. You will learn core courses such as quantum mechanics, atomic spectroscopy, molecular structure, laser physics, and quantum information. Lab courses involve various high-end equipment like lasers, vacuum systems, ion traps, and cold atom devices. This major suits students who are curious about the microscopic world, enjoy hands-on experiments, and have a solid foundation in math and physics. China has many highlights in this field: for example, the University of Science and Technology of China is world-leading in quantum information, East China Normal University is strong in precision spectroscopy, and Peking University has deep expertise in cold atom physics. If you are interested in "why matter is the way it is" or "how to use atoms to build quantum computers," this is the right place for you.