Steady state of atoms in a resonant field with elliptical polarization

We present a complete set of analytical and invariant expressions for the steady-state density matrix of atoms in a resonant radiation field with arbitrary intensity and polarization. The field drives the closed dipole transition with arbitrary values of the angular momenta $J_{g}$ and $J_{e}$ of the ground and excited state. The steady-state density matrix is expressed in terms of spherical harmonics of a complex direction given by the field polarization vector. The generalization to the case of broad-band radiation is given. We indicate various applications of these results.Comment: revtex, 26 pages, including 3 eps figures; PRA accepted for publication;v2 three typos are fixe

Mass Defect Effects in Atomic Clocks

We consider some implications of the mass defect on the frequency of atomic transitions. We have found that some well-known frequency shifts (gravitational shift and motion-induced shifts such as: quadratic Doppler and micromotion shifts) can be interpreted as consequences of the mass defect in quantum atomic physics, i.e., without the need for the concept of time dilation used in special and general relativity theories. Moreover, we show that the inclusion of the mass defect leads to previously unknown shifts for clocks based on trapped ions.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figur

Direct excitation of the forbidden clock transition in neutral 174Yb atoms confined to an optical lattice

We report direct single-laser excitation of the strictly forbidden (6s^2)^1S_0 -(6s6p)^3P_0 clock transition in the even 174Yb isotope confined to a 1D optical lattice. A small (~1.2 mT) static magnetic field was used to induce a nonzero electric dipole transition probability between the clock states at 578.42 nm. Narrow resonance linewidths of 20 Hz (FHWM) with high contrast were observed, demonstrating a record neutral-atom resonance quality factor of 2.6x10^13. The previously unknown ac Stark shift-canceling (magic) wavelength was determined to be 759.35+/-0.02 nm. This method for using the metrologically superior even isotope can be easily implemented in current Yb and Sr lattice clocks, and can create new clock possibilities in other alkaline earth-like atoms such as Mg and Ca.Comment: Submitted to Physics Review Letter

Vector Cooper Pairs and Coherent-Population-Trapping-like States in Ensemble of Interacting Fermions

Using the standard Hamiltonian of the BCS theory, we show that in an ensemble of interacting fermions with the spin 1/2 there exist coherent states $|NC>$, which nullify the Hamiltonian of the interparticle interaction (scattering). These states have an analogy with the well-known in quantum optics the coherent population trapping (CPT) effect. The structure of these CPT-like states corresponds to Cooper pairs with the total spin $S$=1. The found states have a huge degree of degeneracy and carry a macroscopic magnetic moment, that allows us to construct a new model of the magnetism connected with the delocalized electrons in metals (conductors). A principal possibility to apply the obtained results to the superfluid $^3$He is also demonstrated.Comment: revtex, 12 pages, 2 figure

Pure superposition states of atoms generated by a bichromatic elliptically polarized filed

We find specific polarizations of components of a bichromatic field, which allow one to prepare pure superposition states of atoms, using the coherent population trapping effect. These $m$$-$$m$ states are prepared in the system of Zeeman substates of the ground-state hyperfine levels with arbitrary angular momenta $F_1$ and $F_2$. It is established that, in general case $m\ne 0$, the use of waves with elliptical polarizations ($\epsilon_1$$\perp$$\epsilon_2$ field configuration for alkali metal atoms) is necessary for the pure state preparation. We analytically show an unique advantage of the D1 line of alkali metal atoms, which consists in the possibility to generate pure $m$$-$$m$ states even in the absence of spectral resolution of the excited-state hyperfine levels, contrary to the D2 line.Comment: revtex4, 6 pages including 2 eps figure