Suggested preparation: Quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and mathematical physics.
Optional preparation: Electromagnetic Radiation: Free Physics Course.
About this course
Develop atomic and optical physics through resonance, atomic structure, light-matter interactions and spectral line broadening. The course emphasizes the physical models behind experimental observations.
Topics and lesson examples
- 1. Resonance I
- 7. Atoms III
- 13. Atom-light Interactions II
- 19. Line Broadening III
- 25. Coherence V
Course at a glance
| Provider | MIT |
|---|---|
| Platform | YouTube · MIT OpenCourseWare |
| Access | Free Video |
| Level | Professional — WikiFree study-level assessment |
| Language | English |
| Available lessons | 25 |
| Video duration | 33h 37m · self-paced |
| Details checked | 10 October 2026 |
Preparation and study approach
Suggested preparation: Quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and mathematical physics.
Follow the available videos in sequence, pausing to summarize the main argument or reconstruct a worked example. Keep a short list of assumptions, unfamiliar terms and questions to revisit. Additional reading, problem solving and practice will take time beyond the listed video duration.
Using this video classroom
Select a lesson from the list, or search for a topic. Previous and Next move through the sequence. You can mark lessons complete; progress is stored in this browser without a WikiFree account.
Free access and course scope
The public MIT OpenCourseWare videos in this classroom are free to watch. This listing provides the available playlist recordings, which may include selected lectures, recitations, demonstrations or supporting discussions rather than every component of the original campus course. Textbooks, equipment, software licenses, supervised labs, graded assignments and instructor feedback are not supplied by WikiFree. No purchase is required to watch the videos or use the note-based study approach above.
WikiFree independently organizes these resources for self-paced study. Watching does not award an MIT certificate, academic credit or admission to MIT.
Video provider and credit: MIT OpenCourseWare on YouTube. WikiFree titles, descriptions and cover artwork are independently prepared.
Related courses for your next step
- Compare another approachFree MIT Course: Atomic and Optical Physics II
Focus: 1. Introduction to Atomic Physics · 5. Single photons, Part 1
Professional - Review a lower-level optionElectromagnetic Radiation: Free Physics Course
Focus: Electromagnetic waves · Light interactions
Intermediate - Review a lower-level optionFree Yale Course: Fundamentals of Physics II
Focus: Electromagnetism · Circuit reasoning
Intermediate
Compare course focus, level and study time
| Course | Level | Focus | Study time |
|---|---|---|---|
| This course — Free MIT Course: Atomic and Optical Physics I | Professional | 1. Resonance I · 7. Atoms III · 13. Atom-light Interactions II | 33h 37m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free MIT Course: Atomic and Optical Physics II | Professional | 1. Introduction to Atomic Physics · 5. Single photons, Part 1 · 10. van der Waals and Casimir interactions | 36h 15m of video; practice time is additional |
| Electromagnetic Radiation: Free Physics Course | Intermediate | Electromagnetic waves · Light interactions · Wave comparison | 1h 40m of video; practice time is additional |
| Free Yale Course: Fundamentals of Physics II | Intermediate | Electromagnetism · Circuit reasoning · Optics | 29h 48m of video; practice time is additional |
Provider: MIT. Videos play from the MIT OpenCourseWare channel on YouTube.
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