Laser cooling of atoms has been extensively developped these last years. Because of the limited time available, we cannot cover the whole domain, but we shall try to span from the basis of cold atoms to quantum gases or quantum information. One of the original points of this domain is that it has been extensively studied in the frame of condensated matter Physics (superfluidity, superconductivity), and, today, it is oriented towards atomic Physics with the cold atomic samples. We hope to stimulate the exchange between the two communities with this preDoc school. This school is also openned to all european countries, which are the research frame for tomorrow.

The course is targeted at the advanced undergraduate level and emphasizes formal lectures building on textbook knowledge. This goal meets the requirements of the Les Houches pre-doctoral school program. The course is intended for undergraduates at the European Masters level who are planning a PhD study or PhD students in their first or second year. Young post-docs entering the field can also apply.The aim of the session is to present an introduction to the underlying phenomena. The lectures will present the theoretical basis, the fondamental concepts, the experimental methods, and a few applications.

Application deadline: July 2nd, 2006