14,598 research outputs found
Quantum Interference Controls the Electron Spin Dynamics in n-GaAs
Manifestations of quantum interference effects in macroscopic objects are
rare. Weak localization is one of the few examples of such effects showing up
in the electron transport through solid state. Here we show that weak
localization becomes prominent also in optical spectroscopy via detection of
the electron spin dynamics. In particular, we find that weak localization
controls the free electron spin relaxation in semiconductors at low
temperatures and weak magnetic fields by slowing it down by almost a factor of
two in -doped GaAs in the metallic phase. The weak localization effect on
the spin relaxation is suppressed by moderate magnetic fields of about 1 T,
which destroy the interference of electron trajectories, and by increasing the
temperature. The weak localization suppression causes an anomalous decrease of
the longitudinal electron spin relaxation time with magnetic field, in
stark contrast with well-known magnetic field induced increase in . This
is consistent with transport measurements which show the same variation of
resistivity with magnetic field. Our discovery opens a vast playground to
explore quantum magneto-transport effects optically in the spin dynamics.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure
Resonant nonlinear magneto-optical effects in atoms
In this article, we review the history, current status, physical mechanisms,
experimental methods, and applications of nonlinear magneto-optical effects in
atomic vapors. We begin by describing the pioneering work of Macaluso and
Corbino over a century ago on linear magneto-optical effects (in which the
properties of the medium do not depend on the light power) in the vicinity of
atomic resonances, and contrast these effects with various nonlinear
magneto-optical phenomena that have been studied both theoretically and
experimentally since the late 1960s. In recent years, the field of nonlinear
magneto-optics has experienced a revival of interest that has led to a number
of developments, including the observation of ultra-narrow (1-Hz)
magneto-optical resonances, applications in sensitive magnetometry, nonlinear
magneto-optical tomography, and the possibility of a search for parity- and
time-reversal-invariance violation in atoms.Comment: 51 pages, 23 figures, to appear in Rev. Mod. Phys. in Oct. 2002,
Figure added, typos corrected, text edited for clarit
Atomic-state diagnostics and optimization in cold-atom experiments
We report on the creation, observation and optimization of superposition
states of cold atoms. In our experiments, rubidium atoms are prepared in a
magneto-optical trap and later, after switching off the trapping fields,
Faraday rotation of a weak probe beam is used to characterize atomic states
prepared by application of appropriate light pulses and external magnetic
fields. We discuss the signatures of polarization and alignment of atomic spin
states and identify main factors responsible for deterioration of the atomic
number and their coherence and present means for their optimization, like
relaxation in the dark with the strobe probing. These results may be used for
controlled preparation of cold atom samples and in situ magnetometry of static
and transient fieldsComment: 15 pages and 9 figures (including supplementary information
Different sensitivities of two optical magnetometers realized in the same experimental arrangement
In this article, operation of optical magnetometers detecting static (DC) and
oscillating (AC) magnetic fields is studied and comparison of the devices is
performed. To facilitate the comparison, the analysis is carried out in the
same experimental setup, exploiting nonlinear magneto-optical rotation. In such
a system, a control over static-field magnitude or oscillating-field frequency
provides detection of strength of the DC or AC fields. Polarization rotation is
investigated for various light intensities and AC-field amplitudes, which
allows to determine optimum sensitivity to both fields. With the results, we
demonstrate that under optimal conditions the AC magnetometer is about ten
times more sensitive than its DC counterpart, which originates from different
response of the atoms to the fields. Bandwidth of the magnetometers is also
analyzed, revealing its different dependence on the light power. Particularly,
we demonstrate that bandwidth of the AC magnetometer can be significantly
increased without strong deterioration of the magnetometer sensitivity. This
behavior, combined with the ability to tune the resonance frequency of the AC
magnetometer, provide means for ultra-sensitive measurements of the AC field in
a broad but spectrally-limited range, where detrimental role of static-field
instability is significantly reduced.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure
Dynamic effects in nonlinear magneto-optics of atoms and molecules
A brief review is given of topics relating to dynamical processes arising in
nonlinear interactions between light and resonant systems (atoms or molecules)
in the presence of a magnetic field.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figure
Hybrid apparatus for Bose-Einstein condensation and cavity quantum electrodynamics: Single atom detection in quantum degenerate gases
We present and characterize an experimental system in which we achieve the
integration of an ultrahigh finesse optical cavity with a Bose-Einstein
condensate (BEC). The conceptually novel design of the apparatus for the
production of BECs features nested vacuum chambers and an in-vacuo magnetic
transport configuration. It grants large scale spatial access to the BEC for
samples and probes via a modular and exchangeable "science platform". We are
able to produce \87Rb condensates of five million atoms and to output couple
continuous atom lasers. The cavity is mounted on the science platform on top of
a vibration isolation system. The optical cavity works in the strong coupling
regime of cavity quantum electrodynamics and serves as a quantum optical
detector for single atoms. This system enables us to study atom optics on a
single particle level and to further develop the field of quantum atom optics.
We describe the technological modules and the operation of the combined BEC
cavity apparatus. Its performance is characterized by single atom detection
measurements for thermal and quantum degenerate atomic beams. The atom laser
provides a fast and controllable supply of atoms coupling with the cavity mode
and allows for an efficient study of atom field interactions in the strong
coupling regime. Moreover, the high detection efficiency for quantum degenerate
atoms distinguishes the cavity as a sensitive and weakly invasive probe for
cold atomic clouds
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