M. Ducloy - Böcker

The last few years have seen the emergence of a variety of quantum phenomena specifically related to electronic or optical confinement at a sub-wavelength scale. Rapid developments occurred simultaneously in atomic physics (especially in cavity quantum electrodynamics) and in solid state physics (advances in quantum well technology and nano-optoelectronics). Breakthroughs in near-field optics provided new tools that could be applied to these domains. But the key concepts used to describe these effects are often very different, being specific to the community involved in a particular development. Readers of this work are given the opportunity to deepen their understanding of advances related more or less to their own field, while the basic concepts of the different fields are presented by means of tutorial introductions.

In the last few years it was seen the emergence of various new quantum phenomena specifically related with electronic or optical confinement on a sub-wavelength-size. Fast developments simultaneously occurred in the field of Atomic Physics, notably through various regimes of Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics, and in Solid State Physics, with advances in Quantum Well technology and Nanooptoelectronics. Simultaneously, breakthroughs in Near-Field­ Optics provided new tools which should be widely applicable to these domains. However, the key concepts used to describe these new and partly related effects are often very different and specific of the Community involved in a given development. It has been the ambition of the Meeting held at "Centre de Physique des Houches" to give an opportunity to specialists of different Communities to deepen their understanding of advances more or less intimately related to their own field, while presenting the basic concepts of these different fields through pedagogical Introductions. The audience comprised advanced students, postdocs and senior scientists, with a balanced participation of Atomic Physicists and Solid State Physicists, and had a truly international character. The considerable efforts of the lecturers, in order to present exciting new results in a language accessible to the whole audience, were the essential ingredients to achieve successfully what was the main goal of this School.