Ultrafast population transfer in a Λ-configuration level system driven by few-cycle laser pulses

The feasibility of population transfer from a populated level via an intermediate state to the target level driven by fewcycle pulses is theoretically discussed.The processes of on-or far-resonance stimulated Raman scattering with sequential or simultaneous ultrashort pulses are investigated respectively.We find that the ultrashort pulses with about two optical cycles can be used to realize the population operation.This suggests that the population transfer can be completed in the femtosecond time scale.At the same time,our simulation shows that the signal of the carrier-envelope-phase-dependent effect can be enlarged due to quantum interference in some conditions.Our theoretic study may promote the research on the coherent control via ultrashort pulses in the related fields.     

Solution to the Landau-Zener problem via Susskind-Glogower operators

We show that, by means of a right-unitary transformation, the fully quantized Landau-Zener Hamiltonian in the weak-coupling regime may be solved by using known solutions from the standard Landau-Zener problem. In the strong-coupling regime, where the rotating wave approximation is not valid, we show that the quantized Landau-Zener Hamiltonian may be diagonalized in the atomic basis by means of a unitary transformation; hence allowing numerical solutions for the few photons regime via truncation.     

Inclusion of retardation effects in the nonrelativistic treatment of the lamb shift

Summary The retardation effects are included in the nonrelativistic calculation of the Lamb shift, by using a method which exploits theO(4) symmetry of the nonrelativistic hydrogen atom. This method has been previously applied by Lieber to the treatment of the Lamb shift. However, in contrast to his calculations, no kind of dipole approximation, leading to the introduction of an inconsistent cut-off frequency, is used in our treatment. Apart from obtaining cut-off-independent results, the inclusion of retardation effects makes also possible the calculation of the spin-radiation-field Lamb-shift contribution (which vanishes in the dipole approximation). Furthermore, our unambiguous renormalization, consisting of removing the unobservable free-electron self-energy contribution from our expressions, leads to finite analytical and numerical results for the energy level (Lamb) shifts. The comparison of these results with those obtained in a nonrelativistic treatment by other authors shows that our results are in better agreement with the experiment.     

Three-level Doppler-free two- and three-photon resonances

Summary We analyse saturated-absorption and two-photon absorption line shapes in Doppler-broadened three-level systems with nearly degenerate resonance frequencies. The two counterpropagating equal-frequency laser beams of arbitrary intensity irradiating the sample are allowed to couple to both atomic transitions. Various Doppler-free resonances associated to two- and three-photon effects occur. Their saturating behaviour is analysed. A comparison is made with experiments by Woerdmann and Schuurmans and by Himbertet al. To speed up publication, the authors of this paper have agreed to not receive the proofs for correction.     

Gauge-invariant treatment of the exponential decay of an unstable atomic state

Summary By using a self-consistent projection-operator method, developed recently by the present author, a gauge-invariant Markovian treatment of the spontaneous decay of an unstable atomic state is presented. Without ignoring retardation and electron-spin effects a gauge-invariant result for the probability amplitude of finding the atom in the unstable state is obtained.     

Determination of the saturation parameter of electronic transition in a uranium-neon hollow-cathode discharge by optogalvanic spectroscopy

Summary The optogalvanic signal (OGS) induced in a uranium-neon hollow-cathode discharge was measured as a function of the laser power density for the 0→16900 cm⁻¹ (591.5 nm) uranium transition. Theoretical relations derived by solving a two-level system rate equations showed the OGS dependence on the laser photon flux, for a modulated c.w. light and for stimulated transitions starting from the ground state. A fitting of the theoretical relations to the experimental measurements allowed the determination of the σ₀ τ product, that is, the saturation parameter of the transition. The results showed good agreement between the σ₀ τ values obtained by the optogalvanic and the usual optical absorption processes.     

Radiative frequency shift without ultraviolet divergency in a two-level hydrogenic atom

Summary By taking into account the retardation effects a finite result for the frequency shift of the Lyman α-radiation from a two-level hydrogenic atom is obtained. This result shows a nonnegligible correction as compared to previous results obtained in the dipole approximation with a cut-off frequency.     

Non-relativistic exact transition matrix elements for hydrogenic atoms

Summary By using a general formula due to Moses (Phys. Rev. A,8, 1710 (1973)) exact matrix elements for different transitions in non-relativistic amomic hydrogen are evaluated explicitly.     

Gauge independence of the non-relativistic Lamb shift including retardation effects

Summary It is shown that the non-relativistic Lamb shift (including retardation effects), obtained in the second-order perturbation theory, is gauge independent.     

A hollow cathode for high-resolution optogalvanic spectroscopy: Application to uranium

Summary We report the design criteria and performance characteristics of a hollow-cathode tube developed especially for high-resolution Doppler-free laser spectroscopy. It is simple to construct and is easily demountable. Narrow homogeneous line widths of refractory and highly reactive-element transitions have been observed by applying intermodulated detection scheme. To speed up publication, the authors of this paper have agreed to not receive the proofs for correction.     

Density effects on the spectral intensities of dielectronic satellite line in dense plasmas

Summary In this paper we present a theoretical analysis of the spectral intensity of dielectronic satellite lines in dense plasmas. The ion microfield causes an oscillator strength mixing that alters the spectral intensity of such a transition. Numerical calculations of this high-density effect have been performed for the most intense 2l2l′→1s2l He-like transitions.

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Riassunto In questo articolo si presenta un'analisi teorica dell'intensità spettrale delle linee di satellite dielettroniche in plasmi densi. Il microcampo ionico causa un mescolamento delle forze dell'oscillatore che modifica l'intensità spettrale di una tale transizione. Si sono effettuati calcoli numerici di questo effetto ad alta densità per le transizioni più intense del tipo 2l2l′→1s2l.

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Резюме В этой работе мы предлагаем теоретический анализ спектральной интенсивности диэлектронных линий сателлитов в плотной плазме. Микрополе иона вызывает смешивание сил осцилляторов, что изменяет спектральную интенсивность такого перехода. Проведены численные вычисления эффекта высокой плотности для наиболее интенсивных Не-подобных переходов 2l2l′→1s2l.

     

Non-Markovian solutions for probability amplitudes and dipole-moment expectation values in the case of spontaneous Lyman-α emission

Summary By taking into account the counter-rotating terms, equations of motion for probability amplitudes are derived in the case of spontaneous Lyman-α emission. From these equations non-Markovian solutions for probability amplitudes as well as for dipole-moment expectation values are obtained. All the results are provided with accurate error estimates which are absolutely necessary in a rigorous mathematical treatment.     

Two-photon interaction between trapped ions and cavity fields

In this paper, we generalize the ordinary two-photon Jaynes-Cummings model (TPJCM) by considering the atom (or ion) to be trapped in a simple harmonic well. A typical setup would be an optical cavity containing a single ion in a Paul trap. Due to the inclusion of atomic vibrational motion, the atom-field coupling becomes highly nonlinear what brings out quite different behaviours for the system dynamics when compared to the ordinary TPJCM. In particular, we derive an effective two-photon Hamiltonian with dependence on the number operator of the ion's center-of-mass motion. This dependence occurs both in the cavity induced Stark-shifts and in the ion-field coupling, and its role in the dynamics is illustrated by showing the time evolution of the probability of occupation of the electronic levels for simple initial preparations of the state of the system.     

Femtosecond laser pulse train effect on Doppler profile of cesium resonance lines

We present direct observation of the velocity-selective optical pumping of the Cs ground state hyperfine levels induced by the femtosecond (fs) laser oscillator centered at either D2 (6 ²S_1/2↦6 ²P_3/2, 852 nm) or D1 (6 P_1/2, 894 nm) cesium line. We utilized previously developed modified direct frequency comb spectroscopy (DFCS) which uses a fixed frequency comb for the excitation and a weak cw scanning probe laser centered at the ¹³³Cs 6 ²S_1/2↦6 ²P_3/2 transition (D2 line) for ground levels population monitoring. The frequency comb excitation changes the usual Doppler absorption profile into a specific periodic, comblike structure. The mechanism of the velocity selective population transfer between the Cs ground state hyperfine levels induced by fs pulse train excitation is verified in a theoretical treatment of the multilevel atomic system subjected to a pulse train resonant field interaction.     

Relativistic effects in the time evolution of an one-dimensional model atom in a laser pulse

We define 1D Volkov states as solutions of the one-dimensional Dirac equation in a time dependent electric field, similar to the Volkov solutions in the three dimensional case. They are eigenspinors of the momentum operator and reduce in the absence of the field to free solutions of positive or negative energy. Then we add a time independent attractive Gausssian potential and, by integrating the Dirac equation for a laser pulse of Gaussian shape, we determine the state which coincides initially with the ground state of the system in the absence of the electric field. Our main objective is the study of the population dynamics on the Volkov states during the pulse action. For different values of the laser pulse intensity and two values of the potential depth, we find that the Volkov states which evolve from free solutions of negative energy are practically not populated, in contrast to the population on free negative energy states.     

Ionization of barium through a coherent excitation of two bound intermediate states

We have investigated theoretically the asymmetrical photoionization yields into the 6s _1/2, 5d _3/2 and 5d _5/2 continuum channels of atomic barium observed by Wang, Chen and Elliott [Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 2416 (1996)] in the study of coherent control through two-color resonant interfering paths. The atomic parameters obtained from a theoretical approach based on a combination of jj-coupled eigenchannel R-matrix and Multichannel Quantum Defect Theory are used to analyze the photoionization spectra from the and 6s7p states with polarized light beams. The studied energy range includes the 6p7p autoionizing resonances. The dynamics of the two-color photoionization is governed by the coherent excitation of the 6s6p and intermediate states. This excitation is described as an adiabatic process in the rotating wave approximation. The influence of the radiative decay, spatial distribution of the intensities of the laser beams and hyperfine interaction is discussed. Received 28 September 1999