Coherent population trapping in a gas of excited atoms

Coherent population trapping in a gas discharge was studied for transitions between excited levels of neon atoms. Resonances corresponding to the arising of coherent population trapping in the Λ and V schemes for Zeeman sublevels of the lower and upper working states were observed in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field. The effect of nonlinear polarization plane rotation under coherent population trapping conditions was studied. The possibility of using the results obtained in this work for diagnostics of local magnetic fields and other plasma parameters in gas discharges was considered.     

Dispersion of populations of a multilevel system in a strong field of laser emission and a magnetic field

Using the theory and the calculation method developed previously, numerical experiments on the study of dispersion of populations of a multilevel atomic system in strong fields of laser radiation in resonance with adjacent transitions and in a constant magnetic field are conducted. The effect of the magnetic field strength on the character of coherent population trapping in a multilevel system is studied. It is shown that the effect, depending on the magnetic field strength, may be observed for both and for one of the magnetic sublevels of the level that is doubly degenerate in the magnetic quantum number, for which resonance fluorescence is studied. The possibility of obtaining population inversion for magnetic sublevels in the excited state of a multilevel atom under an appropriate choice of parameters is demonstrated.     

An all-optical, high-sensitivity magnetic gradiometer

Optical magnetometers have reached sensitivities that make them interesting candidates for the measurement of weak magnetic fields also outside physics laboratories. In order to overcome problems with stray magnetic fields a common solution with existing magnetometers is to operate a pair of them in a gradiometer configuration: one sensor measures the signal plus the stray fields, while the other one is mounted such that it is only influenced by the stray fields. In the difference signal the stray fields cancel. We have constructed such a gradiometer consisting of two sensors based on coherent population trapping (CPT) resonances in a thermal cesium vapor. Using a magnetic bias field the intrinsically scalar CPT magnetometer can be turned into a true vector magnetometer that is insensitive to magnetic fields perpendicular to a chosen measurement direction. We describe how to align and calibrate the gradiometer. Stray field suppression by more than two orders of magnitude has been achieved, limited by the sensitivity of the magnetometer. This makes possible the detection of picotesla flux density changes in a weakly shielded or even unshielded environment. Received: 3 April 2002 / Published online: 15 November 2002 RID="*" ID="*"New address: Département de Physique, Université de Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 3, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland RID="**" ID="**"Corresponding author. Fax: +41-26/300-9631, E-mail: robert.wynands@unifr.ch     

Deterministic coupling of single ions to an optical cavity

By combining the technologies of ion trapping and cavity QED, we have achieved deterministic coupling of single ions to an optical field. By Doppler cooling, the spread of the ion’s wavepacket was reduced to 42 nm, corresponding to Lamb–Dicke localization. As an application, we have measured the three-dimensional structure of cavity eigenmodes with sub-wavelength precision. The setup presented is suited for the controlled coherent processing of atomic and photonic quantum information. Examples include the triggered generation of single photons and two-ion quantum gates. Received: 20 August 2002 / Revised version: 16 December 2002 / Published online: 26 February 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +49-89/32905-200, E-mail: keller@mpq.mpg.de     

CPT Magnetometer with Atomic Energy Level Modulation

We propose and experimentally investigate a coherent population trapping state based magnetometer prototype with ^87Rb atoms. Through modulating Zeeman sublevels with an ac magnetic field, not only a phase sensitive detection scheme suitable for miniature magnetometer is realized, but also the detection resolution of magnetic field intensity could be improved by a factor of two. Our study result indicates that it is a promising low power consumption miniature sensitive low magnetic field sensor offering spatially resolved measurement at the sub-millimetre level.     

Simple parameterization of dark-resonance line shapes

We have studied the dispersion and absorption line shapes of coherent population trapping resonances (dark resonances) in thermal cesium vapor. Outside the time-of-flight regime the line shapes can be described by a simple phenomenological model: a sum of a dispersive and an absorptive Lorentzian of identical width and position, whose relative weights depend on the detuning of the laser frequencies from the optical resonance. This functional form can be derived from a theoretical model for the full multilevel structure of an alkali atom. The analytical expressions for the parameters of the line shape model show the same behavior as the experimental data. Received: 4 October 2002 / Revised version: 30 October 2002 / Published online: 8 January 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +41-26/300-9631, E-mail: robert.wynands@unifr.ch     

The effect of experimental geometry and initial conditions on the shape of coherent population trapping resonances on the fine structure levels of thallium atoms

Specific features of the coherent population trapping effect are considered in the generalized Λ system whose lower levels are the magnetic sublevels of the fine structure levels of the thallium atom. Numerical experiments were performed aimed at examination of the coherent population trapping for the case of nontrivial, but feasible, initial populations of the upper metastable fine structure level. Such populations may be obtained, for example, due to the photodissociation of TlBr molecules. The possibility of reducing the number of resonances of the coherent population trapping in a multilevel system, which may be useful for high-resolution spectroscopy, is demonstrated. It is shown that the magnitude and shape of the resonances can be controlled by varying the orientation of the polarization vectors of the light field components with respect to each other and to a magnetic field. In addition, studying the shape of the coherent population trapping resonances for the atoms obtained by photodissociation of molecules may provide information about these molecules.     

The influence of the orientation and strength of a magnetic field on the coherent population trapping in the Λ system

The influence of the orientation and strength of a magnetic field on the dynamics and dispersion of the populations of the multilevel Λ system upon spontaneous decay into thermostat levels is considered. The radiation field consists of two components and is specified by the vector-potential in the electric dipole approximation. From the solution of the Schödinger equation for a system consisting of an atom in a magnetic field + radiation field, the probability of populating a common level for the generalized Λ system is determined in the resonance approximation. The calculation of the dynamics and dispersion of the populations demonstrates their dependence on the orientation of the magnetic field vector with respect to the light field polarization vector and on the relationship between the magnetic field strength and radiation field intensities. The coherent population trapping occurs only in the case when Rabi frequencies either exceed or are comparable to the Zeeman splitting of magnetic sublevels. By varying the orientation of the magnetic field, it is possible to change the dynamics and dispersion of the populations, thus affecting the coherent population trapping.     

Hot-electron-induced plasma formation on the rear surface of a foil

The plasma jet formed on the rear surface of a foil in laser–solid interaction is investigated by laser probing. The rear plasma jet, which is in line with the laser, formed a few picoseconds after the incidence of the focused laser, is due to a beam of fast electrons propagating through the target and is collimated by a strong magnetic field in the plasma. Received: 14 January 2003 / Revised version: 2 April 2003 / Published online: 2 June 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +86-10/8264-9531 E-mail: jzhang@aphy.iphy.ac.cn     

Determination of the structure of hyperfine sublevels of Rb in strong magnetic fields by means of the coherent population trapping technique

The splitting of hyperfine sublevels of the ⁸⁵Rb atom in strong magnetic fields has been studied by means of the coherent population trapping technique. Narrow resonances with a high signal-to-noise ratio have been detected in a 30-μm-thick spectroscopic cell. The magnetic field in the direction transverse to the laser beams has been created by permanent magnets and has reached 1600 G. Owing to the exclusive narrowness of the cell, the field in it is almost uniform. The break of the coupling between the electronic and nuclear moments, as well as the transition to the Paschen-Back regime in magnetic fields above 600 G, has been observed. The derivatives of the frequency shifts of the observed resonances and their asymptotic values in strong magnetic fields have been determined in terms of the magnetic field strength. The experimental results have been interpreted within a theoretical model based on the known constants of the hyperfine structure of the Rb atom.     

On the possibility of polarizing atoms and nuclei by pulsed electromagnetic fields without using ultra-low temperatures

A method is proposed for fast and deep polarization of the system of hyperfine sublevels of the ground state of an atom having an optical excited state by means of two-component microwave pulses. The pulse of the bichromatic optical field that induces the transitions between the ground state and excited state of the atom is supposed to provide coherence among the hyperfine sublevels of the atomic ground state via the effect of coherent population trapping. The subsequent resonance microwave pulses create the polarization of equally populated ground state sublevels of the atom. The proposed polarization technique may be used for designing the new schemes of quantum computers, for the pulse transformation in optical experiments when light passes through a resonant medium containing rear-earth ions, as well as for producing polarized nuclear targets.     

Measurement of filament length generated by an intense femtosecond laser pulse using electromagnetic radiation detection

We present a new method to measure the length of a filament induced by the propagation of intense femtosecond laser pulses in air. We used an antenna to detect electromagnetic pulses radiated from multipole moments inside the filament oscillating at the plasma frequency. The results are compared with the values detected from the backscattered fluorescence induced by multiphoton ionization of nitrogen molecules excited inside the filament. The values are found to be in good agreement. Received: 6 November 2002 / Revised version: 27 January 2003 / Published online: 24 April 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +1-418/656-2623, E-mail: shosseini@phy.ulaval.ca     

相干布居数拍频信号与基态超精细子能级相干性关系的研究

相干布居数拍频(coherent population beating, CPB)现象, 产生于一个Λ型三能级原子系统中, 当双色相干激光场的频率差和两基态能级频率间隔近失谐的时候, 原子在激发态能级上的布居数会产生一个弛豫振荡, 且振荡频率等于失谐量. 当将此现象运用于原子标准频率的提取时, CPB频标的稳定度与CPB信号的幅度及信噪比直接相关. 本文理论推导了描述CPB 现象的表达式, 数值模拟并实验研究了⁸⁷Rb基态超精细子能级的相干性对CPB信号的影响, 通过控制与基态子能级共振相干激光场的抽运时间来控制能级的相干程度, 观测不同相干程度对CPB信号质量的影响. 研究结果表明CPB信号振荡的幅度与基态子能级相干程度成正比关系. 要改善CPB信号信噪比、提高原子频标稳定度, 建立、提高和保持基态超精细能级的相干性是关键. 本文还讨论了CPB现象用于弱磁场测量及其他方面应用的可行性.     

Frequency modulation spectroscopy of coherent dark resonances of multi-level atoms in a magnetic field

The resonances of coherent population trapping (CPT) excited by a frequency-modulated (FM) field at the Zeeman sublevels during the transition F _g = 2 → F _e = 1 of the ⁸⁷Rb D ₁-absorption line were studied theoretically. The influence of the nonlinear Zeeman effect on the structure of the observed resonances was considered. The spectra of CPT resonances were calculated for different values of magnetic field induction and compared with the experimental data.     

Ion irradiation of exchange bias systems for magnetic sensor applications

It has been demonstrated that He⁺ ion irradiation is an excellent tool for modifying magnetic properties, like the magnetic anisotropy, the interlayer exchange coupling strength and the exchange bias field of ultra-thin magnetic layered systems. This paper summarizes the effects of ion irradiation on exchange bias systems. As a first example, for possible applications of the ion induced magnetic effects, the realization of an angle sensing device is described. Received: 11 November 2002 / Accepted: 12 November 2002 / Published online: 4 April 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +49-631-205-4095, E-mail: fassbend@physik.uni-kl.de RID="**" ID="**"Present address: Université de Rouen, Rouen, France     

Coherent population trapping of Bose-Einstein condensates: Detection of phase diffusion

Two Bose-Einstein condensates in different Zeeman sublevels can be decoupled from driving light fields in coherent population trapping. A condensate pair with a deterministic entanglement and a controllable value of the relative phase may be prepared by selecting the phase difference between the coherent light fields. The rate of the condensate phase diffusion may be determined from the two-photon resonant absorption of radiation. Received: 29 June 1998 / Revised: 10 October 1998 / Accepted: 19 October 1998     

Magnetic field effect on the induction of an electric microfield in potassium vapor partially ionized by a laser pulse

A laser-induced electric microfield in potassium vapor partially ionized by laser radiation and placed in an external magnetic field has been studied experimentally. It was found that the dependence of the electric field rise time on the magnetic field strength had a peak value when the plasma frequency is equal to the Larmor frequency. This finding allows us to measure the photoelectron density in weakly ionized potassium vapor. The results are explained in terms of a simple model that shows how the length of the photoelectron trajectory changes with the magnetic field. Received: 4 February 2002 / Revised version: 20 June 2002 / Published online: 25 September 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +374-32/31172, E-mail: rdramp@ipr.sci.am     

High-power laser interactions with nanostructured materials

We use short-pulse high-power lasers to selectively modify the structure of nanolaminates and nanocrystals. It is demonstrated that femtosecond pulses can achieve excellent results for microscopic thin film removal. Laser pulses can also be used to modify the crystal structure of thin films. It is also demonstrated that coherent laser excitation promotes a selective modification of nanocrystals, resulting in changes of size, shape, and crystal structure. Received: 7 October 2002 / Accepted: 20 January 2003 / Published online: 28 May 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +1-414/229-5589, E-mail: yakovlev@uwm.edu     

Coherent coupling of a single <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ca<Superscript>+</Superscript> ion to a high-finesse optical cavity

We demonstrate coherent coupling of the quadrupole S_1/2D_5/2 optical transition of a single trapped ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion to the standing wave field of a high-finesse cavity. The dependence of the coupling on temporal dynamics and spatial variations of the intracavity field is investigated in detail. By precisely controlling the position of the ion in the cavity standing wave field and by selectively exciting vibrational state-changing transitions the ion’s quantized vibration in the trap is deterministically coupled to the cavity mode. We confirm coherent interaction of ion and cavity field by exciting Rabi oscillations with short resonant laser pulses injected into the cavity, which is frequency-stabilized to the atomic transition. Received: 23 August 2002 / Published online: 8 January 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. E-mail: christoph.becher@uibk.ac.at RID="**" ID="**"Present address: Time and Frequency Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305, USA