Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:0710.5078 · Physical Review A

Two-step Doppler cooling of a three-level ladder system with an intermediate metastable level

C. Champenois, G. Hagel, Martina Knoop, M. Houssin, C. Zumsteg, F. Vedel, Michael Drewsen

Published Mar 17, 2008• 6 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Doppler laser cooling of a three-level ladder system using two near-resonant laser fields is analyzed in the case of the intermediate level being metastable while the upper level is short lived. Analytical as well as numerical results, e.g., obtainable scattering rates and achievable temperatures are presented. When appropriate, comparisons with two-level single-photon Doppler laser cooling is made. These results are relevant to recent experimental Doppler laser cooling investigations addressing intercombination lines in alkaline-earth-metal atoms and quadrupole transitions in alkaline-earth-metal ions.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.77.033411

Related papers

Two-photon and electromagnetically-induced-transparency-assisted Doppler cooling in a three-level cascade system

Giovanna Morigi, E. Arimondo

Laser cooling is theoretically investigated in a cascade three-level scheme, where the excited state of a laser-driven transition is coupled by a second laser to a top, more stable level, as for alkaline-earth-metal atoms. The second laser action modifies the atomic scattering cross section and produces temperatures lower than those reached by Doppler cooling on the lower transition. When multiphoton processes due to the second laser are relevant, an electromagnetic-induced transparency modifies the absorption of the first laser, and the final temperature is controlled by the second laser parameters. When the intermediate state is only virtually excited, the dynamics is dominated by the two-photon process and the final temperature is determined by the spontaneous decay rate of the top state.

arXiv:quant-ph/0610223•Physical Review A•May 11, 2007•19 citations

Two-photon Doppler cooling of alkaline-earth-metal and ytterbium atoms

Wictor C. Magno, Reinaldo L. Cavasso Filho, Flávio C. Cruz

The possibility of laser cooling of alkaline-earth-metal atoms and ytterbium atoms using a two-photon transition is analyzed. We consider a ${}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}}^{1}{S}_{0}$ transition with excitation in near resonance with the ${}^{1}{P}_{1}$ level. This greatly increases the two-photon transition rate, allowing an effective transfer of momentum. The experimental implementation of this technique is discussed and we show that for calcium, for example, two-photon cooling can be used to achieve a Doppler limit of $123\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}.$ The efficiency of this cooling scheme and the main loss mechanisms are analyzed.

arXiv:physics/0303042•Physical Review A•Apr 22, 2003•31 citations

Temperature limits in laser cooling of free atoms with three-level transitions

Flávio C. Cruz, Michael Lee Sundheimer, Wictor C. Magno

Summary form only given. We consider laser cooling of free atoms with simultaneous two-color excitation of three-level cascade transitions [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6] finding theoretically that temperatures below the Doppler limits associated with each one of the individual transitions are obtained. We use standard laser cooling analysis [7], [8] and the dressed state picture in order to identify different cooling regions, and determining optimum parameters for guiding further experiments. These new “sub-Doppler” limits are reached at the two-photon resonance where a significant increase of the damping coefficient and decrease of the diffusion take place. In the dressed state picture, this point corresponds to a crossing of the narrow and a (partially) dark state.Figure 1 shows a plot of temperature (normalized to the Doppler limit for cooling only on the lower transition) as function of single-photon detunings, for the 1S0-1P1-1D2 transition of Magnesium, in which the lower 1S0-1P1 transition is the usual cooling one (λ1 = 2πc/ω1 = 285 nm, λ2 = 2πc/ω2 = 881 nm, γ1 = 2π 78.8 MHz, γ2 = 2π 2.2 MHz). A minimum temperature of 38 μK is predicted. This temperature is lower than the Doppler temperature of the lower and upper transitions, TD = γ/k = 1.9 mK and 49 μK respectively. Due to the asymmetric absorption profile of the dressed atom, there is a remarkable increase in the damping coefficient (α) associated with the narrow transition, in comparison with the broad transition (two-level cooling). The cooling and damping times, inversely proportional to α, are reduced by the same amount. Since the curve for the diffusion coefficient (D) has the same shape as the curve for the absorption coefficient or the population of the intermediate state, D is also reduced with respect to the broad resonance, We analyze situations previously implemented experimentally in alkaline-Earth atoms using cascade transitions, and also discuss prospects for Aand V-type three-level systems.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•May 1, 2013•0 citations

Radiation pressure and laser cooling of a three-level atom in a ladder configuration

Lei Tan, Wang Zhicheng, Huai-Qiang Gu

Radiation pressure and laser cooling of a moving three-level ladder-type atom in bichromatic travelling fields are considered. The dependence of the force on parameters such as detunings, Rabi frequencies and spontaneous decay rates is calculated numerically and shown graphically and analytical expressions for the force are obtained for some special parameter values. It is shown that the radiation pressure shows Doppler-shifted resonance peaks resulting respectively from one-photon and two-photon transitions. Using the present scheme, Doppler cooling of sodium exploiting the 3 2 S 1/2 –3 2 P 3/2 –3 2 D 5/2 cascade transitions is investigated. It is found that temperatures lower than the Doppler limit can be achieved.

Chinese Physics•Jun 30, 2004•2 citations

Laser cooling with three-level cascade transitions: a study for group II atoms and ytterbium

Wictor C. Magno, Flávio C. Cruz

Abstract We analyze laser cooling of two-electron atoms with three-level cascade transitions, involving the usual 1 S 0 – 1 P 1 cooling transition coupled to either 1 S 0 or 1 D 2 states. We numerically calculate minimum temperatures for the most abundant even isotopes of group II atoms and ytterbium (which lack hyperfine structure), derive general analytical expressions from a perturbative approach, and discuss the experimental implementation of the technique. Considered as an alternative 2nd stage technique to intercombination line cooling, three-level cooling is clearly advantageous for light elements, such as Mg and Ca, while for all elements provides much higher capture ranges, increasing the transfer efficiency from the 1st stage cooling, with faster cooling times and sub-Doppler temperatures.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Apr 15, 2021•3 citations

Laser Cooling, Friction and Diffusion in Three-Level Cascade System in Squeezed Vacuum

Lei Tan, Cuiling Zhang, Jinfang Zhang +2 more

A theoretical study is carried out for the laser cooling of a moving three-level atom in a ladder configuration, driven by a bichromatic laser fields with a broad-band squeezed vacuum. The friction, diffusion coefficients and the equilibrium temperature are calculated numerically and shown graphically as a function of two-photon detunings for various cases of the squeezed vacuum. It is shown that the relative phases between the two coherent fields and the squeezed vacuum field play an important role in the cooling process. For a suitable choice of parameters, the atomic cooling temperature may be reduced to below that in the case of a vacuum, even down to two orders below the Doppler temperature limit. The efficiency of this cooling scheme is also analyzed.

Journal of the Physical Society of Japan•Sep 11, 2006•0 citations
Doppler laser cooling of a three-level ladder system using two near-resonant laser fields is analyzed in the case of the intermediate level being metastable while the upper level is short lived. Analytical as well as numerical results, e.g., obtainable scattering rates and achievable temperatures are presented. When appropriate, comparisons with two-level single-photon Doppler laser cooling is made. These results are relevant to recent experimental Doppler laser cooling investigations addressing intercombination lines in alkaline-earth-metal atoms and quadrupole transitions in alkaline-earth-metal ions.
Laser cooling is theoretically investigated in a cascade three-level scheme, where the excited state of a laser-driven transition is coupled by a second laser to a top, more stable level, as for alkaline-earth-metal atoms. The second laser action modifies the atomic scattering cross section and produces temperatures lower than those reached by Doppler cooling on the lower transition. When multiphoton processes due to the second laser are relevant, an electromagnetic-induced transparency modifies the absorption of the first laser, and the final temperature is controlled by the second laser parameters. When the intermediate state is only virtually excited, the dynamics is dominated by the two-photon process and the final temperature is determined by the spontaneous decay rate of the top state.
The possibility of laser cooling of alkaline-earth-metal atoms and ytterbium atoms using a two-photon transition is analyzed. We consider a ${}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}}^{1}{S}_{0}$ transition with excitation in near resonance with the 1P1{}^{1}{P}_{1}1P1​ level. This greatly increases the two-photon transition rate, allowing an effective transfer of momentum. The experimental implementation of this technique is discussed and we show that for calcium, for example, two-photon cooling can be used to achieve a Doppler limit of $123\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}.$ The efficiency of this cooling scheme and the main loss mechanisms are analyzed.
Summary form only given. We consider laser cooling of free atoms with simultaneous two-color excitation of three-level cascade transitions [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6] finding theoretically that temperatures below the Doppler limits associated with each one of the individual transitions are obtained. We use standard laser cooling analysis [7], [8] and the dressed state picture in order to identify different cooling regions, and determining optimum parameters for guiding further experiments. These new “sub-Doppler” limits are reached at the two-photon resonance where a significant increase of the damping coefficient and decrease of the diffusion take place. In the dressed state picture, this point corresponds to a crossing of the narrow and a (partially) dark state.Figure 1 shows a plot of temperature (normalized to the Doppler limit for cooling only on the lower transition) as function of single-photon detunings, for the 1S0-1P1-1D2 transition of Magnesium, in which the lower 1S0-1P1 transition is the usual cooling one (λ1 = 2πc/ω1 = 285 nm, λ2 = 2πc/ω2 = 881 nm, γ1 = 2π 78.8 MHz, γ2 = 2π 2.2 MHz). A minimum temperature of 38 μK is predicted. This temperature is lower than the Doppler temperature of the lower and upper transitions, TD = γ/k = 1.9 mK and 49 μK respectively. Due to the asymmetric absorption profile of the dressed atom, there is a remarkable increase in the damping coefficient (α) associated with the narrow transition, in comparison with the broad transition (two-level cooling). The cooling and damping times, inversely proportional to α, are reduced by the same amount. Since the curve for the diffusion coefficient (D) has the same shape as the curve for the absorption coefficient or the population of the intermediate state, D is also reduced with respect to the broad resonance, We analyze situations previously implemented experimentally in alkaline-Earth atoms using cascade transitions, and also discuss prospects for Aand V-type three-level systems.
Radiation pressure and laser cooling of a moving three-level ladder-type atom in bichromatic travelling fields are considered. The dependence of the force on parameters such as detunings, Rabi frequencies and spontaneous decay rates is calculated numerically and shown graphically and analytical expressions for the force are obtained for some special parameter values. It is shown that the radiation pressure shows Doppler-shifted resonance peaks resulting respectively from one-photon and two-photon transitions. Using the present scheme, Doppler cooling of sodium exploiting the 3 2 S 1/2 –3 2 P 3/2 –3 2 D 5/2 cascade transitions is investigated. It is found that temperatures lower than the Doppler limit can be achieved.
Abstract We analyze laser cooling of two-electron atoms with three-level cascade transitions, involving the usual 1 S 0 – 1 P 1 cooling transition coupled to either 1 S 0 or 1 D 2 states. We numerically calculate minimum temperatures for the most abundant even isotopes of group II atoms and ytterbium (which lack hyperfine structure), derive general analytical expressions from a perturbative approach, and discuss the experimental implementation of the technique. Considered as an alternative 2nd stage technique to intercombination line cooling, three-level cooling is clearly advantageous for light elements, such as Mg and Ca, while for all elements provides much higher capture ranges, increasing the transfer efficiency from the 1st stage cooling, with faster cooling times and sub-Doppler temperatures.
A theoretical study is carried out for the laser cooling of a moving three-level atom in a ladder configuration, driven by a bichromatic laser fields with a broad-band squeezed vacuum. The friction, diffusion coefficients and the equilibrium temperature are calculated numerically and shown graphically as a function of two-photon detunings for various cases of the squeezed vacuum. It is shown that the relative phases between the two coherent fields and the squeezed vacuum field play an important role in the cooling process. For a suitable choice of parameters, the atomic cooling temperature may be reduced to below that in the case of a vacuum, even down to two orders below the Doppler temperature limit. The efficiency of this cooling scheme is also analyzed.