9531218 Carmichael Theoretical research on the quantum dynamics of small collections of atoms interacting with photons is proposed using a number of theoretical/computational approaches. Two principal physical systems will be studied. The first involves two state atoms in a high finesse optical cavity with the objective of understanding entangled atom/photon states. The second concentrates on the photon statistics of microcavity lasers with the objective of understanding the optical spectrum of these systems and how they differ from conventional lasers. ***
