Three-dimensional atom localization in a five-level M-type atomic system

By using three mutually perpendicular standing-wave fields, we propose a scheme for three-dimensional (3D) subwavelength atom localization in a five-level M-type atomic system. Based on the electromagnetically induced transparency, position probability distribution of the atom in 3D space could be determined via measuring the probe absorption which is proportional to the filter function. It is shown that patterns of 3D atom localization depends sensitively on the coupling schemes of the standing-wave fields. When the standing-wave fields couple three different transitions, the same atom localization patterns are formed in the eight subspaces of the 3D space. While all the standing-wave fields are applied on one transition, we can realize different atom localization patterns in the eight subspaces. From the view of the xy plane, various symmetric or asymmetric atom localization patterns could be formed at different z positions by adjusting the parameters of the laser fields.     

Atom localization in a four-level alkaline earth atomic system

We propose an atom localization scheme for a four-level alkaline earth atom via a classical standing-wave field, and give the analytical expressions of the localization peak positions as well as the widths versus the parameters of the optical fields. We show that the probability of finding the atom at a particular position can be increased from 1/4 to 1/3 or 1/2 by adjusting the detuning of the probe field and the Rabi frequencies of the optical fields. Furthermore, the localization precision can be dramatically enhanced by increasing the intensity of the standing-wave field or decreasing the detuning of the probe field. The analytical results are quite accordant to the numerical solutions.     

Resonance fluorescence based two- and three-dimensional atom localization

Two- and three-dimensional atom localization in a two-level atom–field system via resonance fluorescence is suggested. For the two-dimensional localization, the atom interacts with two orthogonal standing-wave fields, whereas for the three-dimensional atom localization, the atom interacts with three orthogonal standing-wave fields. The effect of the detuning and phase shifts associated with the corresponding standing-wave fields is investigated. A precision enhancement in position measurement of the single atom can be noticed via the control of the detuning and phase shifts.     

Decay interference induced high precision localization in a multilevel atom via controlled spontaneous emission

A simple scheme for one-dimensional atom localization is proposed by employing a technique for the formation of the standing-wave regime using two unidirectional standing-wave fields. We consider a four-level atomic system similar to the one used by Paspalakis and Knight [Phys. Rev. Lett. 1998, 81, 293–296], with travelling-wave fields for the study of the phase control of emission in the presence of vacuum-induced interference between two spontaneous decay channels. In the present system precise position information of the atom can be achieved by measuring the frequency of spontaneous emission, which can be efficiently controlled by different system parameters and also by adjustment of the relative phase in the presence of the decay interference effect. The proposed scheme provides a potential technique to attain 100% detection probability of the atom in one wavelength range with generation of a sharp localization peak at low light level.     

Ultra-slow soliton pairs in four-level inverted Y-system via electromagnetically induced transparency

Using the Schrödinger Maxwell equations, we theoretically investigate the propagation properties of probe and mixing fields in a lifetime-broadened inverted-Y type cold atomic medium. This system is driven by two strong control (pumping and coupling) fields. The results reveal that the probe (or mixing) field consists of two modes with different group velocity and absorption. Under slowly varying envelope approximation, we discuss the propagation equation of the probe (or mixing) field, which includes the high-order nonlinear term. The solutions show that optical solitons pairs can be generated in the cold atom medium with ultra-slow group velocities.     

Phase time delay and Hartman effect in a one-dimensional photonic crystal with four-level atomic defect layer

The Hartman effect is revisited using a Gaussian beam incident on a one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) having a defect layer doped with four-level atoms. It is considered that each atom of the defect layer interacts with three driving fields, whereas a Gaussian beam of width w is used as a probe light to study Hartman effect. The atom–field interaction inside the defect layer exhibits electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). The 1DPC acts as positive index material (PIM) and negative index material (NIM) corresponding to the normal and anomalous dispersion of the defect layer, respectively, via control of the phase associated with the driving fields and probe detuning. The positive and negative Hartman effects are noticed for PIM and NIM, respectively, via control of the relative phase corresponding to the driving fields and probe detuning. The advantage of using four-level EIT system is that a much smaller absorption of the transmitted beam occurs as compared to three-level EIT system corresponding to the anomalous dispersion, leading to negative Hartman effect.     

Absorption spectrum in a three-level atom with injected squeezed vacuum: ladder case

The weak probe field spectrum of a three-level atom, in the ladder configuration, is obtained. The lower transition of atom is coupled with squeezed vacuum, while the upper transition is coupled to coherent cavity mode and a bath. In this paper, the effect of the various quantities (detuning, decay rates) on the absorption spectrum is investigated.     

Three-photon electromagnetically induced absorption and transparency in an inhomogeneously broadened atomic vapour

We study both theoretically and experimentally three-photon electromagnetically induced transparency and electromagnetically induced absorption resonances in inhomogeneously broadened 85 Rb atomic vapour driven by probe and drive laser radiations. We observe narrow Doppler-free absorption as well as transmission resonances for the probe field when the driving laser field is redshifted from the D₁ or D₂ lines of ⁸⁵Rb; the frequency difference between the drive and probe fields is equal to the hyperfine splitting of the ground state of the atoms, and the probe field is tuned to the centre of the Doppler broadened atomic transition. We theoretically study the spectroscopic effect in both homogeneously and inhomogeneously broadened media. Our numerical simulations are in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Phase shift caused by microwave field based on light storage

We have theoretically investigated the phase shift of a probe field for a four-level atomic system interacting successively with two fields tuned near an EIT resonance of an atom, a microwave field, and a coupling field. It has been found that the phase of retrieved signal has been shifted due to the cross-phase modulation when the stored spin wave was disturbed by a microwave. Because of the low relaxation rates of the ground hyperfine state, our proposed technique can impart a large phase rotation onto the probe field with low absorption of retrieved field and very low intensity of the microwave field.     

Effect of quantum interference on a three-level atom driven by two laser fields

Abstract

We study the effect of quantum interference on the population distribution and absorptive properties of a V-type three-level atom driven by two lasers of unequal intensities and different angular frequencies. Three coupling configurations of the lasers to the atom are analysed: (a) both lasers coupled to the same atomic transition, (b) each laser coupled to different atomic transition and (c) each laser coupled to both atomic transitions. Dressed states for the three coupling configurations are identified, and the population distribution and absorptive properties of the weaker field are interpreted in terms of transition dipole moments and transition frequencies among these dressed states. In particular, we find that in the first two cases there is no population inversion between the bare atomic states, but the population can be trapped in a superposition of the dressed states induced by quantum interference and the stronger field. We show, that the trapping of the population, which results from the cancellation of transition dipole moments, does not prevent the weaker field to be coupled to the cancelled (dark) transitions. As a result, the weaker field can be strongly amplified on transparent transitions. In the case of each laser coupled to both atomic transitions the population can be trapped in a linear superposition of the excited bare atomic states leaving the ground state unpopulated in the steady state. Moreover, we find that the absorption rate of the weaker field depends on the detuning of the strong field from the atomic resonances and the splitting between the atomic excited states. When the strong field is resonant to one of the atomic transitions a quasi-trapping effect appears in one of the dressed states. In the quasi-trapping situation all the transition dipole moments are different from zero, which allows the weaker field to be amplified on the inverted transitions. When the strong field is tuned halfway between the atomic excited states, the population is completely trapped in one of the dressed states and no amplification is found for the weaker field.     

On the quantum core of an optical vortex

An optical vortex is a line around which the phase increases by an integer multiple of 2π. It follows that the phase on the line itself is undefined and hence the field must have zero amplitude there. Berry and Dennis have suggested that this line of darkness is smoothed by a ‘quantum core’ with a radius proportional to ?^1/2 and have illustrated this idea by considering the competition between stimulated and spontaneous emission by an excited atom placed in the vicinity of the vortex. We show here that a similar phenomenon may be seen in absorption when the quantum state of motion of the absorbing atom is taken into consideration. There is, however, an underlying quantum singularity in which the absorption events for an atom centred on the vortex core can take place only if accompanied by a transfer of angular momentum to the atomic motion. The nature of this singularity relies on the evolution of an entangled state between the electronic and motional degrees of freedom of the trapped atom. We comment briefly on the effects of field quantisation on this quantum core of the optical vortex.     

Polarization-selective photonic band gap induced by electromagnetically induced transparency

A tripod-type system driven by a weak linearly polarized probe light and a π-polarized standing-wave control light is studied. The results show that double photonic band gaps (PBGs) can be obtained at two different frequencies due to Zeeman splitting induced by an external magnetic field. This allows us to selectively manipulate the σ_± components of the probe light, which exhibits polarization selective features. These peculiar features can be employed to devise schemes for a polarization beam splitter and polarization selective routing. Furthermore, the dependence of the gap position on the magnetic field provides an additional control of the PBGs structure. Thus, double tunable PBGs can be achieved.     

Group velocity of probe light pulse in an open lambda system

The group velocity of the probe light pulse (GVPLP) propagating through an open Λ-type atomic system with a spontaneously generated coherence is investigated when the weak probe and strong driving light fields have different frequencies. It is found that adjusting the detuning or Rabi frequency of the probe light field can realize switching of the GVPLP from subluminal to superluminal. Changing the relative phase between the probe and driving light fields or atomic exit and injection rates can lead to GVPLP varying in a wider range, but cannot induce transformation of the property of the GVPLP. The absolute value of the GVPLP always increases with Rabi frequency of the driving light field increasing. For subluminal and superluminal propagation, the system always exhibits the probe absorption, and GVPLP is mainly determined by the slope of the steep dispersion.     

Group velocity control of a light pulse using giant nonlinearities

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a scheme to enhance nonlinearities of a probe pulse at both cross-phase modulation (XPM) and self-phase modulation (SPM) in a four-level system. Based on standing wave grating generated by counter-propagating resonant signal fields and an additional off-resonant coupling field, a giant nonlinear refractive index of the resonant probe field is obtained with absorption suppressed. Group velocity of the probe pulse can be controlled by both XPM and SPM nonlinearities.     

Atom probe characterisation of high temperature materials

Abstract

An atom probe is capable of quantitatively analysing materials at the atomic level. Modern atom probes are derived from the field ion microscope, and are coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometers, permitting identification of individual atoms. The introduction of position-sensitive detectors enables the reconstruction of a small volume of the sample owing to simultaneous determination of the x, y, and zcoordinates and the mass to charge ratios of individual atoms. This paper focuses on the application of atom probe techniques to the microstructural analysis of high temperature materials. Illustrations include carbide precipitation in creep resistant power plant steels and analyses of model and commercial multicomponent nickel based superalloys. It is demonstrated that atom probe field ion microscopy and atom probe tomography are valuable techniques in the development and understanding of technologically important alloys for high temperature service.     

Laser pulsing of field evaporation in atom probe tomography

The processes by which field evaporation in an atom probe is momentarily stimulated by impingement of a laser beam on a specimen are considered. For metals, the dominant and perhaps only sensible mechanism is energy absorption leading to thermal pulsing, which has been well established. The energy of a laser beam is absorbed in a thin optical skin depth on the surface of the specimen. For materials with a band gap such as semiconductors and dielectrics, it is found that energy absorption in a thin surface layer dominates the process as well and leads to similar thermal pulsing. The relative amount of surface absorption versus volume absorption can strongly influence the heat flow and therefore the mass spectrum of the specimen. Thus it appears for very different reasons that all materials behave similarly in response to laser pulsing in atom probe tomography.     

Generating non-classical light inside an optical cavity by depositing photons

The creation of non-classical states of light is an interesting problem, that we solve sending atoms through an optical cavity. We show that it is possible to add or subtract many photons from a cavity field by interacting it resonantly with a two-level atom. The atom, after entangling with the field inside the cavity and exiting it, may be measured in one of the Schmidt states, producing a multiphoton process (in the sense that can add or annihilate more photons than a single transition allows), i.e. adding or subtracting several photons from the cavity field. By plotting the quadratures and the Husimi Q-function, we also show that the non-classical state produced by such measurements is a squeezed state.     

All-optical switching based on the electromagnetically induced transparency effect of an active photonic crystal microcavity

We report a new all-optical switching in a two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavity made of semiconductor multiple quantum wells and realized based on the electromagnetically induced transparency effect with exciton and two-exciton energy levels. We use the quantum coherence effects to achieve small absorption of the probe field, and the absorption of the probe field can be adjusted by controlling the pump field and decay rate. We turn the control field into pulses of light field so that we can regulate the efficiency of the switch. Through selecting the appropriate control light field intensity, we can obtain a switching efficiency of 85% and a switching time is 10 ps. This result can be used for the development of new types of nanoelectronic devices for realizing the switching process.     

How to catch an atom with single photons

Abstract

We report on trapping a single neutral atom in the standing-wave light field of a high-finesse optical cavity containing one photon on average, a single-photon optical trap, or SPOT for short. This trap has the novel feature that the light field is also used to observe the atom in real time. The oscillatory motion of the trapped atom induces well-resolved oscillations of the light intensity. Periodic structure is visible in the fourth-order intensity correlation function, attributed to long-distance flights of the atom along the standing wave. The finite duration of those flights provides evidence for cavity-mediated cooling of atoms. We discuss the various mechanisms determining the trapping time and compare the results with a quantum-jump Monte Carlo simulation to interpret the observed signals.     

Narrow absorption lines induced by electron shelving

Abstract

We investigate the absorption spectrum of a laser-driven V system in which one of the upper levels is metastable. If the Rabi frequency of the laser driving the metastable transition is sufficiently small we find an extremely narrow peak in the stationary absorption spectrum of a weak probe on the strong transition. We give analytical expressions approximating the stationary absorption spectrum. The absorption spectrum of a two-level system is investigated for the case where an upper limit for the time separation of successive emissions is given. The absorption spectrum then exhibits a delta-function-like peak and using this we then show that the origin of the narrow peak in the absorption spectrum can be traced back to electron shelving, i.e. to the existence of light and dark periods in the resonance fluorescence emitted on the strong transition.