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Suggested Citation:"B Impact of AMO Science." National Research Council. 1994. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science: An Investment in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/2357.
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B
Impact of AMO Science

Throughout this report the contributions of AMO science to areas of national need and to other fields of science are highlighted, and a number of opportunities are underscored. In Figure B.1, the panel illustrates these contributions in the form of a matrix. Rows of the matrix represent the agglomerated research areas of AMO science as used in the questionnaire sent to the community and reproduced at the end of Appendix D. Columns represent various areas of national need. The degree of shading in the blocks indicates the perceived current level of impact. This level was assigned by the panel following consideration of the material in the body of the report and of inputs from the community, but relying primarily on the knowledge and judgment of the panel regarding the various elements of the matrix. Clearly, matrix elements are not independent of one another, but more complicated correlations cannot be shown in this simple presentation.

The broad extent to which AMO science serves the needs of the nation is graphically evident from Figure B.1. Particularly striking is the relationship of research in all areas of AMO science with energy and defense. The importance of AMO research to environmental problems is also clearly apparent, and the influence in the areas of industrial technology, materials processing, and manufacturing is remarkable.

Especially conspicuous in the matrix is the pervasive importance of laser spectroscopy and the physics of coherent light sources to literally all of the needs areas listed. Similarly impressive are the strong enabling aspects of atomic and molecular structure, optical interactions, and collisions, not only to a number of applied areas but also to other fields of science.

The matrix bespeaks the significance of AMO science as an essential player in the economic, technological, and scientific future of the nation.

Suggested Citation:"B Impact of AMO Science." National Research Council. 1994. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science: An Investment in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/2357.
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FIGURE B.1 Overview of contribution of atomic, molecular, and optical science to areas of national need.

Suggested Citation:"B Impact of AMO Science." National Research Council. 1994. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science: An Investment in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/2357.
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Suggested Citation:"B Impact of AMO Science." National Research Council. 1994. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science: An Investment in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/2357.
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Suggested Citation:"B Impact of AMO Science." National Research Council. 1994. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science: An Investment in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/2357.
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Suggested Citation:"B Impact of AMO Science." National Research Council. 1994. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science: An Investment in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/2357.
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Page 156
Suggested Citation:"B Impact of AMO Science." National Research Council. 1994. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science: An Investment in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/2357.
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Page 157
Suggested Citation:"B Impact of AMO Science." National Research Council. 1994. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science: An Investment in the Future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/2357.
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Page 158
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Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science: An Investment in the Future Get This Book
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This book responds to the call for a clear description of the role of basic science in meeting societal needs. It gives examples of societal benefits of atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) science in a number of key areas, including industrial technology, information technology, energy, global change, defense, health and medical technology, space technology, and transportation.

This volume highlights the role of lasers in trapping, cooling, and manipulating individual atoms and molecules to make possible ultraprecise atomic clocks, structural engineering at the atomic level (nanotechnology), and new approaches to the study of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). AMO science is shown to be a field that is both an intellectually important basic science and a powerful enabling science that supports many other areas of science and technology.

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