Editing Physics (section)

====Atomic, molecular, and optical====
{{Main|Atomic, molecular, and optical physics}}

Atomic, [[Molecule|molecular]], and optical physics (AMO) is the study of matter—matter and light—matter interactions on the scale of single atoms and molecules. The three areas are grouped together because of their interrelationships, the similarity of methods used, and the commonality of their relevant energy scales. All three areas include both classical, semi-classical and [[quantum mechanics|quantum]] treatments; they can treat their subject from a microscopic view (in contrast to a macroscopic view).

Atomic physics studies the [[electron shell]]s of atoms. Current research focuses on activities in quantum control, cooling and trapping of atoms and ions,<ref>{{cite web |title=Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics |website=MIT Department of Physics |url=http://web.mit.edu/physics/research/abcp/areas.html#amo |access-date=21 February 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140227043906/http://web.mit.edu/physics/research/abcp/areas.html#amo |archive-date=27 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Korea University, Physics AMO Group |url=http://physics.korea.ac.kr/research/research_amo.php |access-date=21 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301112653/http://physics.korea.ac.kr/research/research_amo.php |archive-date=1 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Aarhus Universitet, AMO Group |url=http://phys.au.dk/forskning/forskningsomraader/amo/ |access-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307062146/http://phys.au.dk/forskning/forskningsomraader/amo/ |archive-date=7 March 2014 }}</ref> low-temperature collision dynamics and the effects of electron correlation on structure and dynamics. Atomic physics is influenced by the [[Atomic nucleus|nucleus]] (see [[hyperfine splitting]]), but intra-nuclear phenomena such as [[nuclear fission|fission]] and [[nuclear fusion|fusion]] are considered part of nuclear physics.

[[Molecular physics]] focuses on multi-atomic structures and their internal and external interactions with matter and light. [[Optical physics]] is distinct from optics in that it tends to focus not on the control of classical light fields by macroscopic objects but on the fundamental properties of [[optical field]]s and their interactions with matter in the microscopic realm.