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     

Precision spectroscopy with two correlated atoms

We discuss techniques that allow for long coherence times in laser spectroscopy experiments with two trapped ions. We show that for this purpose not only entangled ions prepared in decoherence-free subspaces can be used but also a pair of ions that are not entangled but subject to the same kind of phase noise. We apply this technique to a measurement of the electric quadrupole moment of the 3d²D_5/2 state of ⁴⁰Ca⁺ and to a measurement of the line width of an ultra-stable laser exciting a pair of ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ions. PACS 03.67.-a; 06.30.Ft; 37.10.Ty     

Measurement of the coherence time of the ground-state Zeeman states in <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ca<Superscript>+</Superscript>

The transition between the two Zeeman sublevels of ²S_1/2 in a single trapped ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion is directly excited by a radio-frequency magnetic field. A coherence time of 29.4±2.5 ms is measured by Ramsey interferometry. The ratio of the maximum Rabi frequency of the Zeeman transition (∼250 kHz) to the inverse of the coherence time is 7.3×10³, which is considered to be a figure of merit for Zeeman states when they are used as a quantum bit. Several applications of the Zeeman qubit to quantum information processing are also discussed.     

Absolute cross sections and kinetic energy release distributions for electron-impact ionization and dissociation of CD<Superscript>+</Superscript><Subscript>4</Subscript>

Absolute cross sections for electron-impact dissociative excitation and ionization of CD⁺ ₄ leading to formation of ionic products (CD²⁺ ₄, CD⁺ ₃, CD⁺ ₂, CD⁺, C⁺, D⁺ ₃, D⁺ ₂, and D⁺) have been measured. The animated crossed-beams method is applied in the energy range from the reaction threshold up to 2.5 keV. Around 100 eV, the maximum cross sections are found to be (3.8±0.2) ×10^-19 cm²,  cm², (7.1±0.8) ×10^-17 cm², (9.0±0.8) × 10^-17 cm² and (3.7±0.4) ×10^-17 cm² for the heavy carbonaceous ions CD²⁺ ₄, CD⁺ ₃, CD⁺ ₂, CD⁺ and C⁺ respectively. For the light fragments, D⁺ ₃, D⁺ ₂, and D⁺, the cross sections around the maximum are found to be (5.0±0.6) ×10^-19 cm², (1.7± 0.2) ×10^-17 cm² and (10.6±1.0) ×10^-17 cm², respectively. The cross sections are presented in closed analytic forms convenient for implementation in plasma simulation codes. The analysis of ionic product velocity distributions allows determination of the kinetic energy release distributions which are seen to extend from 0 to 9 eV for heavy fragments, and up to 14 eV for light ones. The comparison of present energy thresholds and kinetic energy release with available published data gives information about states contributing to the observed processes. Individual contributions for dissociative excitation and dissociative ionization are determined for each detected product. A complete database including cross sections and energies is compiled for use in fusion application.     

Toward an ion–photon quantum interface in an optical cavity

We demonstrate several building blocks for an ion–photon interface based on a trapped ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion in an optical cavity. We identify a favorable experimental configuration and measure system parameters, including relative motion of the trapped ion and the resonator mode. A complete spectrum of cavity-assisted Raman transitions between the 4²S_1/2 and 3²D_5/2 manifolds is obtained. On two of these transitions, we generate orthogonally polarized cavity photons, and we demonstrate coherent manipulation of the corresponding pair of atomic states. Possible implementations of atom-photon entanglement and state mapping within the ion-cavity system are discussed.     

Photoelectron imaging of 8p Rydberg states of atomic iodine following methyl iodide A-band decomposition

Photoelectron imaging technique has been applied to study (2 + 1) REMPI of atomic iodine through 8p Rydberg states around 253 nm. Full three-dimensional state-specific speed and angular distributions of the photoelectrons were recorded. The branching ratios among the different I⁺ levels revealed that the perturbation on (³P₂)8p series is particularly large among the (³P₂)np series. The violation of core-conserving ionization is attributed to the interactions between the (³P₂)8p and (¹D₂)6p series. The photoelectron angular distributions were found to be well characterized by P₂(cos θ) and P₄(cos θ). A relatively high positive β₂ and a relatively low β₄ observed in (2 + 1) REMPI process indicated that the ionization process can be approximately considered as single-photon ionization via the weakly aligned (³P₂)8p intermediate states.     

CW one-micron (4F3/2-4I11/2) laser oscillation of Nd3+ ions in the melilite-type crystal Ca2MgSi2O7:Nd3+(Na+) at its incommensurate–commensurate phase transition

The spectroscopic and stimulated-emission (⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2) properties of the novel melilite-type laser crystal Ca₂MgSi₂O₇:Nd³⁺(Na⁺) were studied in a temperature range that covers its incommensurate–commensurate (IC↔N) phase transition. The phase transition temperatures of both undoped Ca₂MgSi₂O₇ and the doped crystal were ascertained at 346.6 K (undoped) and 341.3 K (doped) by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The temperature-dependent spectroscopic and laser experiments showed a significant decrease in CW output power and a strong distortion of the generated lasing beam in the region of the phase transition. The observed crystal field disorder of Nd³⁺ lasants in Ca₂MgSi₂O₇:Nd³⁺(Na⁺) is dominantly due to occupation of the position of Ca²⁺ by cations of different valency, while the influence of incommensurability is of minor importance.     

Wave-particle duality of solitons and solitonic analog of the Ramsauer-Townsend effect

We study the interaction of light beams carrying angular momentum with a single, trapped and well localized ion. We provide a detailed calculation of selection rules and excitation probabilities for quadrupole transitions. The results show the dependencies on the angular momentum and polarization of the laser beam as well as the direction of the quantization magnetic field. In order to optimally observe the specific effects, focusing the angular momentum beam close to the diffraction limit is required. We discuss a protocol for examining experimentally the effects on the S_1/2 to D_5/2 transition using a ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion. Various applications and advantages are expected when using light carrying angular momentum: in quantum information processing, where qubit states of ion crystals are controlled, parasitic light shifts could be avoided as the ion is excited in the dark zone of the beam at zero electric field amplitude. Such interactions also open the door to high dimensional entanglement between light and matter. In spectroscopy one might access transitions which have escaped excitation so far due to vanishing transition dipole moments.     

Laser cooling of a single Ca+ ion: Observation of quantum jumps

This paper describes trapping and laser cooling of a Ca⁺ ion in an rf quadrupole ion trap. A single Ca⁺ ion is laser cooled to below 130 mK and quantum jumps are observed by exciting the ion into the metastable D _5/2 state via the P _3/2 state. The lifetime of the metastable D _5/2 state is estimated from the distribution of the dark periods of the quantum-jump signal. Collision-induced jumps between the metastable D _3/2 state and the D _5/2 state in a background gas are also directly observed.     

Dissociation energies of the I(3/2g) and I(1/2g) states of Ar+ 2

Rotationally resolved pulsed-field-ionization zero-kinetic-energy (PFI-ZEKE) photoelectron spectra of ⁴⁰Ar₂ and ³⁶Ar₂ have been recorded between 124650cm^?1 and 127 150cm^?1 following resonant two-photon excitation via the 0⁺ _u (v¹= 0) Rydberg state located below the Ar (¹S₀) + Ar?((3p)⁵4s′ [1/2]₁) dissociation limit. Four overlapping vibrational progressions were observed and attributed to transitions to the I(1/2u) u⁺ = 35–50, I(3/2g) u⁺ = 0–10, I(1/2g) v⁺ = 0–6 and I(3/2u) v⁺ = 0–2 vibronic states of Ar⁺ ₂. The vibrational quantum numbers of the ionic states were derived from an analysis of the isotopic shifts, and the dissociation energies of the I(3/2g) (D⁺ ₀(⁴⁰Ar⁺ ₂:) = 1509.4 ± 1.2cm^?1) and the I(1/2g) (D⁺ ₀(⁴⁰Ar⁺ ₂) = 616.3 ± 1.2cm^?1) states were determined.     

Observation of motional sidebands in single 40Ca+ ions with improved detection efficiency

A method for effectively removing background photons and improving the signal-to-background ratio in detection of fluorescence from a single cooled ion is described. In the method, an additional spatial filter placed at an off-focal position is used to remove scattered photons from trap-electrode surfaces. A signal-to-background ratio of more than 200 is obtained. By using this setup, a resolved carrier and motional sidebands on the 4²S_1/2–3²D_5/2 electric quadrupole transition in ⁴⁰ Ca⁺ are observed.     

Preliminary frequency measurement of the electric quadrupole transition in a single laser-cooled 40Ca+ ion

The trapping and laser cooling of ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion on the way toward optical frequency standards have been developed. A single ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion is trapped in the miniature Paul trap and laser cooled by two frequency-stabilized diode lasers. A commercial Ti:Sapphire laser system at 729 nm is referenced to a high-finesse cavity to meet the requirements of ultra narrow linewidth of the 4s²S_1/2-3d²D_5/2 electric quadrupole transition. Its center frequency is preliminarily measured to be 411 042 129 686.1 (2.6) kHz. The attempt to finally lock the 729-nm laser system to atomic transition is made. Further work to improve the accuracy of measurement and the stabilization of system locking is in consideration and preparation.     

Manganite heterojunction photodetectors for femtosecond pulse laser measurements

We report a sensitive photodetector, based on a manganite junction La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃/Si, for femtosecond (fs) pulse laser energy per pulse and average power measurements. The La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃/Si photodetector exhibits D^? (normalized detectivity) greater than 5.229×10⁹ cm Hz^1/2 W^?1. The open-circuit photovoltage and short-circuit photocurrent responsivities reach ～268 V/mJ and ～275 A/mJ for single pulse irradiation, respectively, and the open-circuit photovoltage responsivity reaches ～1.7 V/W for average power illumination. The experimental results make the manganite junction a promising fs laser measurement detector and reference standard for calibrating fs lasers.     

Synthesis,structural and optical properties of Eu3+–doped Ca2V2O7 nanophosphors

Europium doped calcium pyrovanadate nanoparticles Ca₂V₂O₇:Eu³⁺, having a size of 57–63 nm, were synthesized using combustion process. Structure, morphological and optical properties of nanophosphors have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fluorescence spectrometry (PL) and Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy. X-ray studies shows that a pure triclinic Ca₂V₂O₇ phase was obtained at 900 °C temperature. The red emission observed at 620 nm upon excitation at 305 nm is due to hypersensitive transition ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ of luminescent activator Eu³⁺ location at a site with no inversion symmetry in Ca₂V₂O₇ crystal lattice. High luminescent intensity and easy synthesis technique make this red phosphor a promising candidate for application as luminescent materials.     

The deformation producing tendency of (d 3/2−f 7/2) empirical effective interaction

The effective matrix elements in (d _3/2−f _7/2)² configuration have been recently defined by Erskineet al. and Sherret al. assuming shell clcsures for S³² and Ca⁴⁰. We have attempted to verify whether this empirically deduced (d _3/2−f _7/2)² interaction permits thed _3/2 shell to remain closed when nucleons are added to Ca⁴⁰. It is found that the Erskine interaction gives rise to ground states of thef _7/2 shell nuclei in which thed _3/2 orbit is completely filled. However that interaction over-binds Ca⁴⁰. If the centroid of the (d _3/2)² interaction is modified to fit the Ca⁴⁰ binding energy, the ground states of Cr⁴⁸ and Fe⁵² become deformed and thed _3/2 orbit is not completely filled.     

Synergetic effects of ultrasound and sodium alginate coating on mass transfer and qualities of osmotic dehydrated pumpkin

This research studied the effects of combined ultrasound and 3% sodium alginate (SA) coating pretreatment (US + Coat) on mass transfer kinetics, quality aspects, and cell structure of osmotic dehydrated (OD) pumpkin. The results of the pretreatment were compared with the results of control (non-pretreated osmotic dehydration) and other three pretreatment methods, which were 1) ultrasound in distilled water for 10 min (USC), 2) ultrasound in 70% (w/w) sucrose solution (US) for 10, 20 and 30 min, and 3) coating with 1%, 2%, 3% (w/w) SA. The coating pretreatments with SA resulted in a higher water loss (WL) but lower water activity and solid gain (SG) than other treatments. US pretreatments resulted in the highest effective diffusion coefficients of water (D_w) and solid (D_s) but the cell structure of the product was deformed. The 3% SA coating treatment had the highest WL/SG (5.28) but with the longest OD time (12 h). Using the US + Coat pretreatment gave satisfactory high WL/SG (5.18), D_w (1.09 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²s⁻¹) and D_s (5.15 × 10⁻¹¹ m²s⁻¹), reduced the OD time to 9 h, and preserved the cell structure of the product. This research suggests that US + Coat pretreatment can be an effective processing step in the production of OD pumpkin.     

Preliminary frequency measurement of the electric quadrupole transition in a single laser-cooled 40Ca+ ion

The trapping and laser cooling of ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion on the way toward optical frequency standards have been developed. A single ⁴⁰Ca⁺ ion is trapped in the miniature Paul trap and laser cooled by two frequency-stabilized diode lasers. A commercial Ti:Sapphire laser system at 729 nm is referenced to a high-finesse cavity to meet the requirements of ultra narrow linewidth of the 4s²S_1/2-3d²D_5/2 electric quadrupole transition. Its center frequency is preliminarily measured to be 411 042 129 686.1 (2.6) kHz. The attempt to finally lock the 729-nm laser system to atomic transition is made. Further work to improve the accuracy of measurement and the stabilization of system locking is in consideration and preparation.      

Ultraviolet upconversion luminescence in Er-doped Y2O3 excited by 532 nm CW compact solid-state laser

Ultraviolet upconversion emissions at 262, 276, 308 and 320 nm were observed from Er³⁺-doped Y₂O₃ with a 532 nm continuous wave compact solid-state laser excitation. Power-dependence analysis demonstrates that two-photon upconversion process populates the ⁴D_5/2, ²H_9/2 and ²P_3/2 states. The energy transfer upconversion (ETU) plays an important role in populating ⁴D_5/2 and ²P_3/2 states. It appears that ²P_3/2 state population originates from ETU ²H_11/2+²H_11/2→⁴I_13/2+²P_3/2, moreover, a subsequent excited state absorption (ESA) from the ⁴I_9/2 level.     

Line positions and energy levels of the O substitutions from the HDO/D2O spectra between 5600 and 8800 cm

Absorption spectra of HDO/D₂O mixtures recorded in the 5600-8800 cm⁻¹ region with a total pressure of water from 13 up to 18 hPa and an absorption path length of 600 m have been analyzed in order to obtain new spectroscopic data for HD¹⁸O and D₂¹⁸O. In spite of the low natural ¹⁸O concentration (about 2×10⁻³ with respect to the ¹⁶O one), about 1100 transitions belonging to HD¹⁸O and more than 280 transitions belonging to D₂¹⁸O have been assigned. Most of the D₂¹⁸O transitions belong to the ν₁+ν₂+ν₃ and 2ν₁+ν₃ bands. Sets of energy levels for seven vibrational states of D₂¹⁸O and four states of HD¹⁸O are reported for the first time. The comparison of the experimental data with the calculated values based on Partridge-Schwenke global variational calculations is discussed.     

Contribution of the DK continuum in the QCD sum rule for D<Subscript>sJ</Subscript>(2317)

Using the soft-pion theorem and the assumption on the final-state interactions, we include the contribution of the DK continuum into the QCD sum rules for the D_sJ(2317) meson. We find that this contribution can significantly lower the mass and the decay constant of the D_s(0⁺) state. For the value of the current quark mass m_c(m_c) = 1.286 GeV, we obtain the mass of D_s(0⁺) M=2.33 ± 0.02 GeV in the interval s₀ = 7.5–8.0 GeV², being in agreement with the experimental data, and the vector current decay constant of D_s(0⁺) f₀=0.128 ± 0.013 GeV, much lower than those obtained in the previous literature. PACS  12.39.Hg; 13.25.Hw; 13.25.Ft; 12.38.Lg