Atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics studies matter-matter and light-matter interactions at the scale of atoms and molecules. The development of AMO physics now has allowed for precise control of quantum systems in the level of single photons, atoms, and molecules. AMO physics has connections to many other fields, such as condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, cosmology, biophysics, quantum information science and technology, etc.

In the cutting-edge field of modern AMO physics, we develop cold atom quantum simulators, explore fundamental physics and manipulate quantum states by means of light-matter interaction. We currently have four research groups in this designated area. Prof. Gyu-Boong Jo’s Quantum Gas Laboratory utilizes atomic quantum simulators with ultracold atoms and experimentally explores the interface between AMO physics, condensed-matter physics and quantum information science. Prof. Jo’s group is generally interested in many-body systems in which quantum mechanics and technology are important. Prof. Kam Sing Wong’s group use ultrashort laser pulses to study nonlinear optics, and ultrafast charge generation and recombination in organic/inorganic materials and optoelectronic devices. Prof. Jingdi Zhang's lab works on ultrafast dynamic control of quantum materials and metamaterials on femtosecond to picosecond time scales, through light-matter interaction.