LASED: A Laser-Atom Interaction Simulator using Quantum Electrodynamics

Abstract

A laser-atom interaction simulator using quantum electrodynamics (LASED) is presented, which has been developed in the python programming language. LASED allows a user to calculate the time evolution of a laser-excited atomic system. The model allows for any laser polarization, a Gaussian laser beam profile, a rotation of the reference frame chosen to define the states, and an averaging over the Doppler profile of an atomic beam. Examples of simulations using LASED are presented for excitation of calcium from the 4$^1$S$_0$ state to the 4$^1$P$_1$ state, for laser excitation from a D-state excited by electron impact to a P-state, and for laser excitation of caesium via the D$_2$ line.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, for source code go to https://github.com/mvpmanish/LASED. Changes in V2: added Sec. III D detailing the visualisation of angular shape, replaced Fig. 6 and Sec. IV B with new results from modelling a realistic 3D to 10P transition in He with the evolution of angular shap