Analysis of short-wavelength charge-exchange lasers via plasma-gas beam clashing

The coupled particle and radiation rate equations have been solved for the population inversion and laser intensity which result when a plasma is incident on a vapor target. For the specific case of a helium plasma incident on a cesium vapor target, a laser intensity of order 10⁶W/cm² at 584A?is calculated. The numerical results are in basic agreement with a simple analytical model. Experimental considerations and progress are discussed.     

Transporting and time reversing light via atomic coherence

We study basic issues central to the storage of quantum information in a coherently prepared atomic medium such as the role of adiabaticity. We also propose and demonstrate transporting, multiplexing, and time reversing of stored light.     

On the theory of the Stern-Gerlach apparatus

We present, in various limits, analytical expressions for the center-of-mass wave function of a spin-1/2 atom as it is deflected by a Stern-Gerlach apparatus.Work Supported by the Office of Naval Research.     

Control of group velocity of light via magnetic field

We have theoretically studied the effects of quantum coherence in a driven quasi-degenerate two-level atomic system. We have shown that the quantum interference, which can be destructive or constructive, can be controlled by an externally applied magnetic field allowing one to implement both electromagnetically induced transparency and electromagnetically induced absorption in the same atomic system. Determined by frequency dispersion of the index of refraction of the system, the group velocity of light pulses ranges from ultra-slow to superluminal with changing of the magnitude of the magnetic field.     

Does the “two-level atom” picture of a josephson junction have a theoretical foundation in BCS?

Yes, except that the rigorous equations are nonlocal and involve the internal pair coordinates.     

Ultrafast relaxation of optically excited nonequilibrium electron-hole distributions in germanium

New measurements of the nonlinear, nonequilibrium optical (1.06μm) properties of the germanium solid-state plasma are presented. Single pulse transmission has been measured as a function of incident pulse energy at sample temperatures of 105 K and 297 K. In addition the relative transmission of a probe pulse as a function of time delay after an excitation pulse has been measured for three different excitation pulse energies and two temperatures. A model which explains the observed behavior of germanium under intense radiation is briefly, qualitatively described, and theorectical curves are plotted with the experimental data.     

Water fragmentation and energy loss by carbon ions at the distal region of the Bragg peak

Time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to investigate fragmentation and energy transfer processes in water by C ions at the distal part of the Bragg peak. Measurements of the positive ion fragments from ionization, electron capture, electron loss, transfer-loss and loss-ionization channels have allowed us for the first time (a) to obtain a quantitative determination of the energy lost by C ions in water and (b) to show that total water fragment ion production has a much flatter profile with projectile energy than would be expected if the water radical formation was assumed to follow the energy-loss profile obtained from available stopping power models.     

Two-photon correlation of radiation emitted by two excited atoms: Detailed analysis of a dicke problem

A radiative interaction in a collective two-atom system forms subradiant and superradiant states when the distance between neighboring atoms is less than half a wavelength of resonant radiation. We calculate the G ⁽²⁾ function depending on the atomic separation and detection angle and show that it oscillates with a time delay between two successively emitted photons. These oscillations are the signature of coherent effects due to the periodic emission and absorption of photons by each atom.     

Quantum fluctuations of superfluorescence delay observed with ultrashort optical excitations

We present an observation of fluctuations in delay times of the yoked-superfluorescence pulses generated in atomic rubidium. The yoked-superfluorescence was induced through two-photon excitation of cascade transitions by ultrashort (∼100 fs) laser pulses. A statistical distribution and fluctuations of delay times were studied as the pump pulse energy varied, effectively changing the number of participating atoms. The standard deviation in the delay-time statistics decreases when the pump power increases. The experimental data support the theoretical model of the quantum fluctuations of superfluorescence.     

Remote sub-diffraction imaging with femtosecond laser filaments

Achieving super-resolution has become a scientific imperative for remote imaging of objects and scenes needing increased detail and has motivated the development of various laser-based techniques. We demonstrate a scheme which achieves subdiffraction imaging of remote objects by using femtosecond laser filaments. The use of laser filaments for imaging is destined to have applications in many environments.