Role of spontaneous emission through operating transition in probe-field spectroscopy of two-level systems

Analytical and numerical investigations are carried out of the effect of spontaneous decay through operating transition on the shape of a resonance in the work of a probe field under a strong field applied to the transition. A narrow nonlinear resonance arising on transitions with long-living lower level in the work of a probe field can manifest itself in the form of a traditional minimum and a peak as a function of the first Einstein coefficient for the operating transition. The transformation of the resonance from a minimum to a peak is attributed to the specific character of relaxation of lower-level population beatings on a closed or almost closed transition (the decay of the upper level occurs completely or almost completely through the operating transition).     

Lower hybrid resonance at low collision frequencies

For low collision frequencies the power transfer to a plasma in the domain of the lower hybrid resonance is measured under linear conditions. Geometrical resonances due to radial eigenmodes are observed to be strongly suppressed as compared to theoretical expectations.     

Probe-field spectroscopy in two-level systems with low Doppler broadening

The spectrum of absorption (amplification) of a weak probe field by two-level atoms colliding with atoms of a buffer gas in the field of a strong electromagnetic wave is studied theoretically. A universal, free of any collision model, solution is obtained for systems with small (compared to collision rates) Doppler broadening with no restrictions on the strong-field intensity and with the possible absence of dephasing of the light-induced dipole moment in elastic collisions of the gas particles. The relation of the collisional parameters of the problem with the characteristics of an elementary scattering event and with the macroscopic characteristics connected with the transport phenomena is established. It is found that the nontrivial features of the probe-field spectrum discovered by us previously [Zh. Éksp. Teor. Fiz. 127, 320 (2005)] in the framework of the strong-collision model are not connected with a particular model of collisions and have a universal nature.     

Heterodyne spectroscopy at very low frequencies

We have studied the spectrum of light scattered by capillary waves, thermally excited at the free surface of highly viscous liquids, by heterodyne spectroscopy techniques. We were able to measure spectral widths down to 0.2 Hz.     

Probe field spectroscopy in two-level systems with arbitrary phase memory in collisions

The spectrum of weak probe field absorption (amplification) by two-level atoms experiencing collisions with buffer gas atoms in a strong resonance laser field is studied theoretically. Analysis is carried out for systems with a weak Doppler broadening under relatively mild constraints on the strong field intensity for the general case of an arbitrary change in the phase of the radiation-induced dipole moment in elastic collisions of gas particles. It is shown that, in spite of uniform broadening of the absorption line, the probe field spectrum exhibits a clearly manifested anisotropy to mutual orientation of the wavevectors of strong and probe radiation. It is found that the width of resonances in the probe field spectrum under definite conditions (that can easily be created in experiments) is proportional to the diffusion coefficient for atoms interacting with radiation. This fact can form the basis of the spectroscopic method for measuring the transport frequencies of collisions between particles absorbing radiation and buffer particles. It is shown that phase memory effects in collisions strongly modify the probe field spectrum both qualitatively and quantitatively. Simple operative formulas proposed for the probe field spectrum are convenient for experimental data processing.     

Nonresonant echo spectroscopy of inhomogeneously broadened two-level systems

Effects which arise in inhomogeneously broadened systems upon nonresonant excitation are examined theoretically. The effect of such excitation on the signals representing a decaying free polarization and a two-pulse echo is discussed. The onset of echo signals generated in two-pulse retarded nutation during the application of a field is studied. The response can acquire a multicomponent structure. This structure is manifested in the appearance of a single-pulse echo, eight satellites in the two-pulse echo, and four nutation echo signals in the retarded two-pulse nutation. An experimental study of these effects is reported. The possibility of using them to determine relaxation times is analyzed.Institute of Solid-State and Semiconductor Physics, Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Scientific-Research Institute of Problems of Semiconductor Physics, Belarus State University. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 7, pp. 59–71, July, 1993.     

Tunneling spectroscopy of two-level systems inside a Josephson junction

We consider a two-level system (TLS) with energy level separation plankvOmega0 inside a Josephson junction. The junction is shunted by a resistor R and is voltage V biased. If the TLS modulates the Josephson energy and/or is optically active, it is Rabi driven by the Josephson oscillations in the running phase regime near the resonance 2eV=plankvOmega0. The Rabi oscillations, in turn, translate into oscillations of current and voltage that can be detected in noise measurements. This effect provides an option to fully characterize the TLS inside Josephson junction and to find the TLS's contribution to the decoherence when the junction is used as a qubit.     

Experimental evidence for the direct interaction between two-level systems in glasses at very low temperatures

We have measured the direct interaction between two-level systems in glasses at low temperatures. This interaction results in a strong broadening of the excited state in addition to the natural linewidth. A theoretical explanation of our result is given regarding the two-level systems as an elastic dipole.     

Studies of relaxation processes in organic glasses at low temperatures using the hole-burning spectroscopy technique: Verification of applicability limits of the model of two-level systems

A vitreous state is originally nonequilibrium. Because of this, attempts to classify relaxation processes in glasses as equilibrium and nonequilibrium are, strictly speaking, incorrect. This classification is, however, possible and useful at low temperatures when the model of two-level systems (TLS) appears to be sufficient to describe properties of glasses. Until now, the question of the applicability limits of the TLS model has remained unclear both in the temperature and temporal domains. A number of deviations from the so-called standard TLS model, observed experimentally, can be easily accounted for with allowance for nonequilibrium effects considered as a result of the nonequilibrium state of the TLS ensemble. There are some effects, however, that cannot be consistently explained within the framework of the TLS model. In this paper, we briefly consider the results of studying the relaxation processes in organic glasses at low temperatures in a wide time range using the spectral hole-burning technique. The experimental data are compared with predictions of the TLS model, and spectral criteria for the limits of its applicability are proposed.     

Vortex mass in a superfluid at low frequencies

An inertial mass of a vortex can be calculated by driving it around in a circle with a steadily revolving pinning potential. We show that in the low-frequency limit this gives precisely the same formula that was used by Baym and Chandler, but find that the result is not unique and depends on the force field used to cause the acceleration. We apply this method to the Gross-Pitaevskii model, and derive a simple formula for the vortex mass. We study both the long-range and short-range properties of the solution. We agree with earlier results that the nonzero compressibility leads to a divergent mass. From the short-range behavior of the solution we find that the mass is sensitive to the form of the pinning potential, and diverges logarithmically when the radius of this potential tends to zero.     

Acoustic properties of glasses at low temperatures and low frequencies

We generalize the low temperature expressions for the variation of the sound velocity and sound absorption in glasses due to structural defects for the case of arbitrary frequencies. In case ωτ₂ ? 1 our expressions reduce to well known results.     

Transient effects of three photon pulses in resonant two-level atom systems

Using statistical quantum electrodynamics techniques, we compute the polarization of a two-level atom system following three pulses. Homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening and pulse width are incorporated in the formalism. Phase conjugation by three-photon process is investigated.     

Auditory filter shapes at low center frequencies

Auditory-filter shapes were estimated in normally hearing subjects for signal frequencies (fs) of 100, 200, 400, and 800 Hz using the notched-noise method [R. D. Patterson and I. Nimmo-Smith, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 67, 229-245 (1980)]. Two noise bands, each 0.4fs wide, were used; they were placed both symmetrically and asymmetrically about the signal frequency to allow the measurement of filter shape and asymmetry. Two overall noise levels were used: 77 and 87 dB SPL. In deriving the shapes of the auditory filters, account was taken of the nonflat frequency response of the Sennheiser HD424 earphone, and also of the frequency-dependent attenuation produced by the middle ear. The auditory filters were asymmetric; the upper skirt was steeper than the lower skirt. The asymmetry tended to be greater at the higher noise level. The equivalent rectangular bandwidths (ERBs) of the filters at the lower noise level had average values of 36, 47, 87, and 147 Hz for values of fs of 100, 200, 400, and 800 Hz, respectively. The standard deviations of the ERBs across subjects were typically about 10% of the ERB values. The signal-to-masker ratio at the output of the auditory filter required to achieve threshold increased markedly with decreasing fs.     

低频标准真空涨落的测量

采用自平衡零拍方案, 对低频段的标准量子真空涨落进行了测量. 实验确定了该系统的饱和光功率约为3.2 mW. 在10 Hz–400 kHz的频率范围内, 系统的共模抑制比平均为55 dB, 在100 Hz处高达63 dB, 对激光经典技术噪声具有很强的抑制作用. 当入射光功率为400 μ W 时, 真空涨落噪声达到11 dB. 此低频量子真空噪声探测系统可广泛应用于量子计量和量子光学等研究领域.     

低分析频率压缩光的实验制备

基于PPKTP晶体的阈值以下光学参量振荡(OPO)过程,制备了共振于铷原子D1线795 nm的压缩真空态光场,研究了分析频率处于千赫兹范围的主要噪声来源,特别是795 nm激光及其二次谐波397.5 nm激光在晶体内吸收引起的非线性损耗增加和系统热不稳定的问题(397.5 nm激光处于PPKTP晶体透光范围边缘,具有高于其他波长数倍的吸收系数).以795 nm和1064 nm为例,分析了非线性损耗及晶体内热效应对压缩度的影响.受限于以上因素,795 nm压缩光很难得到1064 nm波段同样的压缩度.探测系统中的噪声耦合则限制了压缩频带.实验上对分析频率为千赫兹的经典噪声进行了有效控制,通过使用真空注入的OPO、垂直偏振及反向传输的腔长锁定光、低噪声的平衡零拍探测器、高稳定度的实验系统及量子噪声锁定等方法,最终在2.6—100 kHz的分析频段得到了约2.8 dB的795 nm压缩真空.该压缩光可用作磁场测量系统的探测光以提高测量灵敏度.