Atoms as nonlinear mixers for detection of quantum correlations at ultrahigh frequencies

Measurements of quantum correlations are reported for a frequency difference of 25 THz between the signal and idler output fields generated by a subthreshold nondegenerate optical parametric oscillator. By simultaneously exciting a two-photon transition in atomic Cs by a combination of signal, idler, and "references oscillator" fields, we record modulation of the excited-state population due to quantum interference between two alternative excitation pathways. The observed phase-sensitive modulation is proportional to the correlation function〈EsEi〉for the quantized signal and idler fields

Two-photon spectroscopy of the 6S_(1/2) → 6D_(5/2) transition of trapped atomic cesium

Two-photon spectroscopy of atomic cesium confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap is reported. The hyperfine structure of the 6D_(5/2) state is determined with 1% accuracy. New capabilities for studying ac Stark shifts and kinetic transport for cold atoms are suggested

Frequency metrology by use of quantum interference

Quantum interference in the rate of two-photon excitation of the 6S1/2 → 6P3/2 → 6D5/2 transition in atomic cesium is exploited to demonstrate phase-sensitive frequency demodulation for an optical interval of 612.5 THz. By thus using atoms as ultrafast nonlinear mixing elements, we suggest and analyze a new avenue for absolute comparisons of a dense set of frequencies over the range of 200–2000 nm

Quantum interference in two-photon excitation with squeezed and coherent fields

Two-photon excitation of a three-level atom in a ladder configuration (1-->2-->3) by simultaneous illumination with fields in squeezed vacuum and coherent states results in quantum interference for the excitation process. The particular configuration considered here is one for which the signal and idler output fields of a subthreshold nondegenerate optical parametric oscillator are in resonance with the two-stepwise dipole atomic transitions (1-->2,2-->3), while a "reference oscillator" field is in two-photon resonance with the quadrupole transition (1-->3). In an extension of the work of Ficek and Drummond [Phys. Rev. A 43, 6247 (1991)], a theoretical formulation based on the full quantum master equation for the problem is presented. The combined effects of quantum interference and the nonclassical character of the squeezed state are investigated, and offer the potential for a new detection strategy for quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field with ultrahigh frequencies (10's-100's THz). Based on the theory developed, we analyze quantum interference in excitation in several special cases relevant to experimental realizations, including the effects of a small focusing angle of the squeezing onto the atoms, and unusual population inversions. Special emphasis is given to identifying intrinsically quantum optical field effects versus classical field effects. Procedures that could distinguish between the two (i.e., classical and nonclassical) are suggested

Cavity QED with high-Q whispering gallery modes

We report measurements of cavity-QED effects for the radiative coupling of atoms in a dilute vapor to the external evanescent field of a whispering-gallery mode (WGM) in a fused silica microsphere. The high Q (5 x 10^(7)), small mode volume (10^(-8) cm^(3)), and unusual symmetry of the microcavity evanescent field enable velocity-selective interactions between fields with photon number of order unity in the WGM and (N) over bar(T) similar to 1 atoms in the surrounding vapor

Observation of Two-Photon Excitation for Three-Level Atoms in a Squeezed Vacuum

The two-photon transition (6S(sub 1/2) yields 6D(sub 5/2)) of atomic Cesium is investigated for excitation with squeezed vacuum generated via nondegenerate parametric down conversion. The two-photon excitation rate (R) is observed to have a non-quadratic dependence of R = aI(exp 2) + bI on the incident photon flux (I), reflecting the nonclassical correlations of the squeezed vacuum field

Phase-dependent spectra in a driven two-level atom

We propose a method to observe phase-dependent spectra in resonance fluorescence, employing a two-level atom driven by a strong coherent field and a weak, amplitude-fluctuating field. The spectra are similar to those which occur in a squeezed vacuum, but avoid the problem of achieving squeezing over a $4\pi$ solid angle. The system shows other interesting features, such as pronounced gain without population inversion.Comment: 4 pages and 4 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Nonclassical excitation for atoms in a squeezed vacuum

The two-photon transition 6S(1/2) --> 6D(5/2) is investigated for trapped atomic cesium excited by squeezed light. The rate R of two-photon excitation versus intensity I is observed to be consistent with the functional form R = beta(1)I + beta(2)I(2), extending into a region with slope 1.3. This departure from the quadratic form for classical light sources is due to the fundamental alteration of atomic radiative processes by the nonclassical field