Nonlinear Dynamics and Quantum Phenomena in Optical Systems: Proceedings of the Third International Workshop Blanes (Girona, Spain), October 1-3, 1990

This book reviews recent advances and reports new results in some of the most exciting areas of modern optics, with the aim of promoting an exchange of ideas between the different subfields. A number of contributions treat the dynamic behavior of lasers and other optical systems from the point of view of the nonlinear dynamics of dissipative systems, discussing temporal and spatio-temporal instabilities and characterizing periodic and chaotic behaviors. Other contributions consider the quantum properties of electromagnetic radiation, in particular the generation and properties of squeezed states of light. In the discussion of above-threshold ionization emphasis is placed on the modeling and interpretation of observed features and the prediction of new phenomena. The combination of longer reviews and shorter research reports provides the reader with a clear picture of the current status of these areas of optics.

This volume contains contributions based on the lectures delivered at the Third In- ternational Workshop on Nonlinear Dynamics and Quantum Phenomena in Opti- cal Systems, which was held in Blanes, Girona, Spain, 1-3 October 1990. Blanes is a charming small town located on the well-known Costa Brava. With the con- venient facilities of the Centre for Advanced Studies (CEAB), Blanes followed of the previous meetings of this series, which were held at Palma the tradition de Mallorca and Santander. We aimed to provide an opportunity for scientists active in the broad field of quantum optics to meet in an informal atmosphere, thus promoting the ex- change of ideas and allowing a search for interconnections between seemingly unrelated topics and a cross fertilization of the different subfields of quantum optics. We encouraged contributions dealing with the newest and most important developments in quantum optics. The main topics included instabilities, chaos, spatiotemporal dynamics, and pattern formation in lasers and nonlinear optical devices; phase dynamics; generation and detection of squeezed and other non- classical states of light; coherent interaction of light with atomic systems; and multiphoton processes and above-threshold ionization. The meeting brought together a group of 72 optical scientists from Belgium, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, USA, and USSR. In the technical program, nine invited papers were included, presented by eight distinguished specialists.

This book reviews recent advances and reports new results in some of the most exciting areas of modern optics: dynamic behavior of lasers, squeezed states of light, and above-threshold ionization. The combination of longer reviews and shorter research reports allows researchers and graduate students to form a clear picture of current trends.