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

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

Generalized Hyper-Ramsey Resonance with separated oscillating fields

An exact generalization of the Ramsey transition probability is derived to improve ultra-high precision measurement and quantum state engineering when a particle is subjected to independently-tailored separated oscillating fields. The phase-shift accumulated at the end of the interrogation scheme offering high-level control of quantum states throughout various laser parameters conditions. The Generalized Hyper-Ramsey Resonance based on independent manipulation of interaction time, field amplitude, phase and frequency detuning is presented to increase the performance of next generation of atomic, molecular and nuclear clocks, to upgrade high resolution frequency measurement in Penning trap mass spectrometry and for a better control of light induced frequency shifts in matter wave interferometers or quantum information processing.Comment: accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

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