PREFACE

Abstract

These proceedings include the invited papers of the 34th Conference of the European Group of Atomic Spectroscopy (EGAS34) and selected progress reports.The 34th EGAS was organized by the Institute of Solid State Physics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Faculty of Physics, Sofia University. It took place from 9 to 12 July 2002 in Sofia, Bulgaria. 169 scientists from 31 countries participated in the conference.During the conference 'hot', unpublished results were presented. The modern topics of the atomic spectroscopy—quantum optics, complex atom structure and properties, laser spectroscopy and applications of atomic spectroscopy in astrophysics, plasma physics, were the subjects of 14 invited lectures, 4 progress reports, 37 oral contributions and 136 poster presentations.The participants could benefit not only from the high scientific level of the conference program but also from a social program in the surroundings of Sofia.One of the main goals of the EGAS conferences is to give opportunities to young scientists to present their results and to have discussions with leading scientists.The EGAS34 was supported by EC in the framework of the High-Level Scientific Conferences Program (contractHPCF-CT-2001-00338). Under the contract 60 young scientists from EU and associate countries had the opportunity toparticipate in the conference. The European Physical Society supported the participation of young scientists from Russia, Croatia and Poland.The organizers are grateful to all sponsors and organizations for their support.