620 research outputs found
Performance of a prototype atomic clock based on lin||lin coherent population trapping resonances in Rb atomic vapor
We report on the performance of the first table-top prototype atomic clock
based on coherent population trapping (CPT) resonances with parallel linearly
polarized optical fields (lin||lin configuration). Our apparatus uses a
vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) tuned to the D1 line of 87Rb
with current modulation at the 87Rb hyperfine frequency. We demonstrate
cancellation of the first-order light shift by proper choice of rf modulation
power, and further improve our prototype clock stability by optimizing the
parameters of the microwave lock loop. Operating in these optimal conditions,
we measured a short-term fractional frequency stability (Allan deviation)
2*10^{-11} tau^{-1/2} for observation times 1s<tau< 20s. This value is limited
by large VCSEL phase noise and environmental temperature fluctuation. Further
improvements in frequency stability should be possible with an apparatus
designed as a dedicated lin||lin CPT resonance clock with environmental impacts
minimized.Comment: 6 pages, 8 fugure
Theory of dark resonances for alkali vapors in a buffer-gas cell
We develop an analytical theory of dark resonances that accounts for the full
atomic-level structure, as well as all field-induced effects such as coherence
preparation, optical pumping, ac Stark shifts, and power broadening. The
analysis uses a model based on relaxation constants that assumes the total
collisional depolarization of the excited state. A good qualitative agreement
with experiments for Cs in Ne is obtained.Comment: 16 pages; 7 figures; revtex4. Accepted for publication in PR
Magnetic field imaging with atomic Rb vapor
We demonstrate the possibility of dynamic imaging of magnetic fields using
electromagnetically induced transparency in an atomic gas. As an experimental
demonstration we employ an atomic Rb gas confined in a glass cell to image the
transverse magnetic field created by a long straight wire. In this arrangement,
which clearly reveals the essential effect, the field of view is about 2 x 2
mm^2 and the field detection uncertainty is 0.14 mG per 10 um x 10 um image
pixel.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Cold atoms in videotape micro-traps
We describe an array of microscopic atom traps formed by a pattern of
magnetisation on a piece of videotape. We describe the way in which cold atoms
are loaded into one of these micro-traps and how the trapped atom cloud is used
to explore the properties of the trap. Evaporative cooling in the micro-trap
down to a temperature of 1 microkelvin allows us to probe the smoothness of the
trapping potential and reveals some inhomogeneity produced by the magnetic
film. We discuss future prospects for atom chips based on microscopic
permanent-magnet structures.Comment: Submitted for EPJD topical issue "Atom chips: manipulating atoms and
molecules with microfabricated structures
Small-sized dichroic atomic vapor laser lock
Two, lightweight diode laser frequency stabilization systems designed for
experiments in the field are described. A significant reduction in size and
weight in both models supports the further miniaturization of measurement
devices in the field. Similar to a previous design, magnetic-field lines are
contained within a magnetic shield enclosing permanent magnets and a Rb cell,
so that these DAVLL systems may be used for magnetically sensitive instruments.
The Mini-DAVLL system (49 mm long) uses a vapor cell (20 mm long), and does not
require cell heaters. An even smaller Micro-DAVLL system (9mm long) uses a
micro-fabricated cell (3 mm square), and requires heaters. These new systems
show no degradation in performance with regard to previous designs, while
considerably reducing dimensions.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, published versio
Absorption resonance and large negative delay in Rb vapor with buffer gas
We observe a narrow, isolated, two-photon absorption resonance in Rb for
large one-photon detuning in the presence of a buffer gas. In the absence of
buffer gas, a standard Lambda configuration of two laser frequencies gives rise
to electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) for all values of one-photon
detuning throughout the inhomogeneously (Doppler) broadened line. However, when
a buffer gas is added and the one-photon detuning is comparable to or greater
than the Doppler width, an absorption resonance appears instead of the usual
EIT resonance. We also observe large negative group delay (~ -300 us for a
Gaussian pulse propagating through the media with respect to a reference pulse
not affected by the media), corresponding to a superluminal group velocity v_g=
-c/(3.6x10^6)=-84 m/s.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
Bichromatic electromagnetically induced transparency in cold rubidium atoms
In a three-level atomic system coupled by two equal-amplitude laser fields
with a frequency separation 2, a weak probe field exhibits a
multiple-peaked absorption spectrum with a constant peak separation .
The corresponding probe dispersion exhibits steep normal dispersion near the
minimum absorption between the multiple absorption peaks, which leads to
simultaneous slow group velocities for probe photons at multiple frequencies
separated by . We report an experimental study in such a
bichromatically coupled three-level system in cold Rb atoms.
The multiple-peaked probe absorption spectra under various experimental
conditions have been observed and compared with the theoretical calculations.Comment: RevTex, 4 pages, 6 figures, Email address: [email protected]
An integrated atom-photon junction
Photonic chips that integrate guides, switches, gratings and other
components, process vast amounts of information rapidly on a single device. A
new branch of this technology becomes possible if the light is coupled to cold
atoms in a junction of small enough cross section, so that small numbers of
photons interact appreciably with the atoms. Cold atoms are among the most
sensitive of metrological tools and their quantum nature also provides a basis
for new information processing methods. Here we demonstrate a photonic chip
which provides multiple microscopic junctions between atoms and photons. We use
the absorption of light at a junction to reveal the presence of one atom on
average. Conversely, we use the atoms to probe the intensity and polarisation
of the light. Our device paves the way for a new type of chip with
interconnected circuits of atoms and photons.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure. Submitted to Nature Photonic
A surface-patterned chip as a strong source of ultracold atoms for quantum technologies
Laser-cooled atoms are central to modern precision measurements. They are also increasingly important as an enabling technology for experimental cavity quantum electrodynamics, quantum information processing and matter–wave interferometry. Although significant progress has been made in miniaturizing atomic metrological devices, these are limited in accuracy by their use of hot atomic ensembles and buffer gases. Advances have also been made in producing portable apparatus that benefits from the advantages of atoms in the microkelvin regime. However, simplifying atomic cooling and loading using microfabrication technology has proved difficult. In this Letter we address this problem, realizing an atom chip that enables the integration of laser cooling and trapping into a compact apparatus. Our source delivers ten thousand times more atoms than previous magneto-optical traps with microfabricated optics and, for the first time, can reach sub-Doppler temperatures. Moreover, the same chip design offers a simple way to form stable optical lattices. These features, combined with simplicity of fabrication and ease of operation, make these new traps a key advance in the development of cold-atom technology for high-accuracy, portable measurement devices
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