The atomic, molecular, and optical physics programs at LSU bring together the theoretical work of Drs. Rau and Schafer, and Boyd Professor O'Connell (also see condensed matter/solid state physics). Topics under investigation in atomic theory by this group include scattering, excitation, and ionization in electron-atom and electron-ion collisions, atoms in strong fields, and photo absorption. The roles of correlation, resonance, and relativistic effects are studied. In quantum optics, Dr. O'Connell studies energy shifts in radiation, as well as non-Markovian effects in quantum optics. Dr. Schafer works on intense laser effects on atoms, including multi-photon absorption and ionization and the production of high harmonics. Working with faculty members in this group are postdoctoral associates and a number of graduate students. In addition, there are ties to the experimental work in atomic physics in the Department of Chemistry, particularly in the laboratories of Drs. Hopkins and Poliakoff, and Boyd Professor McGlynn. Students from the department in Dr. Poliakoff's group study vibrationally resolved excitation of small molecules with photons of energy 10-200 eV at the CAMD Synchrotron facility. (see page 4).