The Atomic Physics and Optical Science Group consists of 7 principal investigators.  The research fields cover (1) theoretical studies of atomic structures, transition rates, photoionization and collision of atoms, quantum dots, interactions of positron and positronium with atoms, atoms in strong electromagnetic fields; (2) development of novel laser and photonic devices including megahertz bandwidth pulse lasers tunable from infrared to ultraviolet, and their applications in atomic and molecular sciences; (3) development of laser-wakefield accelerators, x-ray lasers, plasma nonlinear optics, and plasma photonics devices driven by multi-terawatt femtosecond lasers; (4) investigations of laser cooling of molecules, collision and reaction of cold molecules, and quantum control of atomic and molecular wave functions by carrier-envelope phase-locked comb-lasers.

The theoretical atomic physics team, led by Keh-Ning Huang and Yew Kam Ho, has developed a multiconfiguration relativistic random-phase method that offers great computational efficiency and a complex-coordinate rotation method for high precision calculation of resonances. Other newly developed computational techniques include the complex absorbing potential method and the stabilization method. 

The solid-state lasers research laboratory of Andy Kung is devoted to the development of compact tunable lasers and study of coherent processes in atoms and molecules. Portable tunable lasers and diagnostic equipment are also developed for off-site projects.

The high-field physics and ultrafast technology laboratory of Jyhpyng Wang and Szu-yuan Chen has constructed a high quality 10-terawatt laser facility and is engaged in pioneering research in high field physics.The laser is capable of creating fusion-temperature plasmas and driving electron motions deep into the relativistic nonlinear regime.By spatial and temporal waveform programming, the laser is utilized to develop transient plasma devices for applications in high field physics and plasma nonlinear optics. 

Ying-Cheng Chen and Wang-Yau Cheng, two new members in this group, plan to develop general methods to cool and control molecules.Stark guiding will be utilized as the first step to produce cold molecules. Comb-laser-based ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy will be developed with the optical heterodyne and quantum interference techniques.