Stimulated Raman adiabatic passage via the ionization continuum in helium: Experiment and theory

We experimentally demonstrate coherent population transfer, driven by stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) between two bound quantum states, coupled via a continuum of states. We present extended numerical and experimental investigations on population transfer from the metastable state 2s ¹S₀ to the excited state 4s ¹S₀ in metastable helium atoms. While techniques based on incoherent excitation do not permit any population transfer via rapidly decaying continuum states, our data indicate a maximum transfer efficiency of 20% in coherent excitation by STIRAP. We study the transfer efficiency with respect to the relevant experimental parameters.     

Piecewise adiabatic population transfer in a molecule via a wave packet

We propose a class of schemes for robust population transfer between quantum states that utilize trains of coherent pulses, thus forming a generalized adiabatic passage via a wave packet. We study piecewise stimulated Raman adiabatic passage with pulse-to-pulse amplitude variation, and piecewise chirped Raman passage with pulse-to-pulse phase variation, implemented with an optical frequency comb. In the context of production of ultracold ground-state molecules, we show that with almost no knowledge of the excited potential, robust high-efficiency transfer is possible.     

Time-resolved probing of the ground state coherence in rubidium

We demonstrate the preparation and probing of the coherence between the hyperfine ground states |S(1/2),F=1> and |5S(1/2),F=2> of the Rb87 isotope. The effects of various coherence control techniques, i.e., fractional stimulated Raman adiabatic passage and coherent population return, on the coherence are investigated. These techniques are implemented using nearly degenerate pump and Stokes lasers at 795 nm (Rb D1 transition), which couple the two hyperfine ground states via the excited state |5P(1/2),F=1> through a resonant two-photon process in which a coherent superposition of the two hyperfine ground states is established. The medium is probed by an additional weak laser, which generates a four-wave mixing signal proportional to the ground state coherence and allows us to monitor its evolution in time. The experimental data are compared with numerical simulations.     

Nonleaky Population Transfer in a Transmon Qutrit via Largely-Detuned Drivings

We propose an efficient scheme to implement nonleaky population transfer in a transmon qutrit via largely-detuned drivings. Due to weak level anharmonicity of the transmon system, the remarkable quantum leakages need to be considered in quantum coherent operations. Under the conditions of two-photon resonance and large detunings, the robust population transfer within a qutrit can be implemented via the technique of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage. Based on the accessible parameters, the feasible approach can remove the leakage error effectively, and then provides a potential approach for enhancing the transfer fidelity with transmon-regime artificial atoms experimentally.     

基于方波脉冲外场的超冷原子-分子绝热转化

基于受激拉曼绝热通道技术,研究了方波脉冲外场下的超冷原子-双原子分子转化.运用绝热保真度的方法,详细分析了该原子-分子转化系统相干布居俘获态的动力学演化过程.研究发现,相干布居俘获态的最终绝热保真度随脉冲激光强度的变化呈现出大幅度的周期振荡.这表明本文所设计的方波脉冲方案与高斯脉冲方案相比具有明显的优势,可以在较小的脉冲激光强度下达到较高的绝热保真度并实现较高效率的超冷原子-分子转化.     

Creation and measurement of a coherent superposition of quantum states

We demonstrate experimental techniques for creating and measuring a coherent superposition of two degenerate atomic states with equal amplitudes in metastable neon. Starting from state (3)P(0), we create adiabatically a coherent superposition of the magnetic sublevels M=+/-1 of the state (3)P(2) using a tripod stimulated Raman adiabatic passage scheme. The measurement is based on the coupling of the levels (3)P(2)<-->(3)P(1) by a linearly polarized laser, followed by the detection of the population in the (3)P(2)(M=+/-2) states as a function of the polarization angle of that laser.     

Coherent transfer of photoassociated molecules into the rovibrational ground state

We report on the direct conversion of laser-cooled 41K and 87Rb atoms into ultracold 41K87Rb molecules in the rovibrational ground state via photoassociation followed by stimulated Raman adiabatic passage. High-resolution spectroscopy based on the coherent transfer revealed the hyperfine structure of weakly bound molecules in an unexplored region. Our results show that a rovibrationally pure sample of ultracold ground-state molecules is achieved via the all-optical association of laser-cooled atoms, opening possibilities to coherently manipulate a wide variety of molecules.     

Robust population transfer by stimulated raman adiabatic passage in a Pr3+:Y2SiO5 crystal

We report on the experimental implementation of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) in a Pr3+:Y2SiO5 crystal. Our data provide clear and striking proof for nearly complete population inversion between hyperfine levels in the Pr3+ ions. The transfer efficiency was monitored by absorption spectroscopy. Time-resolved absorption measurements serve to monitor the adiabatic population dynamics during the STIRAP process. Efficient transfer is observed for negative pulse delays (STIRAP), as well as for positive delays. We identify the latter by an alternative adiabatic passage process.     

Efficient population transfer by delayed pulses despite coupling ambiguity

In traditional schemes of multilevel multilaser excitation, each laser pulse interacts with only one pair of states, and the rotating wave approximation (RWA) is applicable. Here we study the population transfer process in a three-state system when each of the two lasers interacts with each of the pair of states and when the Rabi frequencies characterizing the interaction strengths of the system are comparable to or larger than the difference of the transition frequencies. We show that complete and robust population transfer is possible under conditions more general than those hitherto considered necessary for stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) or for successive π pulses. Using adiabatic Floquet theory we show that successful population transfer can be interpreted as adiabatic passage by means of a transfer state which connects the initial and final states. The Floquet picture offers a convenient interpretation of the population transfer as accompanied by multiple absorption of photons from or emission into the laser fields.     

Phase control in a coherent superposition of degenerate quantum states through frequency control

We demonstrate a controlled phase change of π in a degenerate superposition by altering a laser frequency by only 10 MHz. The method relies on the preparation of an adiabatic state involving the M = ±2 and M = 0 states of the ³P₂ (J = 2) level of metastable neon. Dependent on the frequency, the preparation proceeds either by stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) or by coherent population trapping (CPT). In the former case the superposition is prepared by adiabatic transfer induced in an extended tripod linkage scheme. In the latter case population is optically pumped into the Zeeman manifold of the level ³P₂. The population which does not reach a dark state decays to the ground state of neon. The amplitudes and relative phases of the dark states differ for the two cases. The phase change is monitored using the method of phase-to-population mapping.     

使用斯塔克诱导的绝热拉曼通道技术实现D2分子的高效相干布居转移

使用斯塔克诱导的绝热拉曼通道技术,成功地将分子束中的D₂分子从(v=0, J=0)转移至(v=1, J=0). 激发效率达到了75%.该技术将为交叉分子束和分子束-表面散射实验研究氢分子的振动激发对化学反应的影响提供一个独特的工具.     

Numerical exploration of coherent excitation in three-level ladder systems

The technique of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) is used to transfer potassium atoms from the 22p state to the 21p Rydberg state through the intermediate state 22s. The results show that complete population transfer is related to pulse duration and overlap, and occurs when the pulse duration and overlap have adequate values. At the same time, population trapping is also formed. Complete population transfer can also occurs when the two-photon resonance condition ({\it\Delta}_s= {\it\Delta}_p) is met.     

原子-二聚物分子转化系统在受激拉曼绝热过程中的绝热保真度

从原子-二聚物分子转化系统的非U（1）对称性出发,将保真度的定义推广到了非线性系统.并利用绝热保真度定量地研究了原子-二聚物分子转化系统在受激拉曼绝热过程中的动力学和绝热性.研究发现,这个系统的相干布居俘获态——暗态的绝热保真度作为绝热参量的函数以幂律关系趋于1.这个函数关系与线性系统的绝热参量和绝热保真度的幂律关系非常相似,但该系统的幂指数要远小于线性系统的幂指数.此外,还进一步讨论了如何通过优化受激拉曼绝热过程的外部参量得到更高的绝热保真度,从而优化系统的绝热性,提高原子-分子转化效率. 关键词： 原子-二聚物分子转化系统 暗态 受激拉曼绝热过程 绝热保真度     

Efficient coherent population transfer among three states in NO molecules by Stark-Chirped rapid adiabatic passage

We present the experimental demonstration of a novel, efficient, and selective technique to prepare population inversion. The technique is an extension of Stark-chirped rapid adiabatic passage (SCRAP), i.e., SCRAP among three states. In this process a Lambda-type quantum system is driven by two laser pulses, the pump and Stokes pulses, which are appropriately detuned from transition frequencies. A third laser pulse induces a dynamic Stark shift in the upper energy level, and the timing of all three pulses is controlled in order to prepare population inversion between the two lower states in the Lambda-type level scheme. Our data on population transfer in nitric oxide (NO) molecules clearly show that SCRAP among three states provides an advantageous alternative to such techniques as stimulated Raman adiabatic passage.     

Three-Dimensional Quantum State Transferring Between Two Remote Atoms by Adiabatic Passage under Dissipation

Recently, Zhou et al. [Phys. Rev. A 79 （2009） 044304] proposed a scheme for transferring three-dimensional quantum states between remote atomic qubits confined in cavities connected by fibers through adiabatic passage. In order to avoid the decoherence due to spontaneous emission, Zhou et al. utilized the large detuning atom-field interaction. In the present paper, we discuss the influence of dissipation on the scheme in both the resonant atom-field interaction case and the large detuning case. We numerically analyze the success probability and the transferring fidelity. It is shown that the resonant case is a preferable choice for the technique of the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage （STIRAP） due to the shorter operation time and the smaller probability of dissipation.     

Ultrafast control of coherent population transfer with a train of femtosecond pulse pairs

We investigate the ultrafast control of coherent population transfer in a Λ-type three-level system with a train of pump-Stokes femtosecond pulse pairs, where the pulse sequences can be produced either by optical delay line or by pulse shaping with sinusoidal phase modulation. It is shown that when the pump and Stokes pulses in each pair are applied in the counterintuitive order, similar to that in the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage technique, due to temporal quantum interference (besides optical interference in the case of overlapped subpulses), ultrafast control of coherent population transfer can be achieved by scanning the inter-pair time delay or by changing the sinusoidal phase modulation parameters. This method has potential applications in ultrafast control of chemical reactions and quantum information processing.     

Ultrafast coherent population transfer driven by two few-cycle laser pulses

We investigate ultrafast coherent population transfer driven by few-cycle pump and Stokes laser pulses in the Λ-type three-level system with the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage technique beyond the rotating-wave approximation. In contrast to the case with the rotating wave approximation, the most efficient population transfer may be realized without the satisfaction of the one-photon resonances or two-photon resonance and the transfer efficiency depends critically on the Rabi frequencies and initial optical phases of the two laser fields when the peak Rabi frequencies are much larger than the respective transition frequencies. Moreover, complete and robust population transfer can still be obtained with the variations of the Rabi frequencies, pulse durations, and one-photon or two-photon detuning in a moderate range, though a considerable transient population may reside in the excited state. These abnormal behaviors result from the counterrotating terms, which are not taken into account in the traditional rotating wave approximation.     

Third-harmonic generation in quasi-phase-matched chi(2) media with missing second harmonic

What we believe to be a conceptually novel scheme for third-harmonic generation in engineered quasi-phase-matched chi((2)) optical structures is proposed in which the fundamental-frequency field is directly converted into the third-harmonic field without the intermediate generation of the second-harmonic field. This counterintuitive scheme, which exploits the concept of adiabatic passage and the existence of a nonlinear dark state, bears a close connection to the "stimulated Raman adiabatic passage" technique of population transfer in atomic physics.     

Superposition of Fock states via adiabatic passage in a coupled four-level atom－cavity system

We have investigated the behaviour of an atom－cavity system via a stimulated Raman adiabatic passage technique in a four-level system, in which two dark states are present. We find, because of the coherent control field, that a superposition of Fock states can be prepared, even when the cavity is initially not in its vacuum state. This method provides a way to generate arbitrary quantum states of a cavity field.