New Progress in Quantum Optics and Atom Optics

The world today is developing into a new era of quantum technology founded on quantum physics thanks to the increasing scientific cognition level and technical control ability on the microscopic quantum systems. The invention of laser has opened a window to reveal and manipulate the internal structure of matter and also triggered explorations and contemplations about the nature of light. In the process of deepening the understanding of what is light and the light-matter interaction, two important branches of modern optics, quantum optics and atom optics, came into being. Arguably, the two disciplines have not only brought us new scientific mindsets but also led to a number of cutting-edge technologies such as atomic clock and quantum information that has reshaped and will continue to reshape human society. If quantum physics has opened a door to understanding the objective world, emerging disciplines are guiding us on how to use the knowledge of quantum physics to manipulate and transform the world around us.