Course information

This module looks at how strange but powerful ideas from quantum physics are put to use in real experiments and technologies. You’ll learn how atoms can be cooled close to absolute zero using laser light, leading to new states of matter such as Bose–Einstein condensates. We’ll explore how atoms and ions interact with light, how they can be trapped and controlled, and how these systems form the basis of quantum computers and precision measurements like atomic clocks. The course also introduces the quantum nature of light itself, showing how photons can display behaviour beyond classical physics. Overall, the course connects key quantum principles to cutting-edge applications in computing, sensing, and fundamental science.