arXiv:1506.02297 · Physical Review A

Strong coupling on a forbidden transition in strontium and nondestructive atom counting

Matthew A. Norcia, James K. Thompson

Published Feb 2, 2016• 36 citations

Abstract

We observe strong collective coupling between an optical cavity and the forbidden spin singlet to triplet optical transition $^{1}S_{0}$ to $^{3}P_{1}$ in an ensemble of $^{88}\text{Sr}$. Despite the transition being 1000 times weaker than a typical dipole transition, we observe a well-resolved vacuum Rabi splitting. We use the observed vacuum Rabi splitting to make nondestructive measurements of atomic population with the equivalent of projection-noise limited sensitivity between subsequent measurements and with minimal heating [$<0.01$ (photon recoils)/atom]. This technique may be used to enhance the performance of optical lattice clocks by generating entangled states and reducing dead time.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.93.023804

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arXiv:1506.02297 · Physical Review A

Strong coupling on a forbidden transition in strontium and nondestructive atom counting

Matthew A. Norcia, James K. Thompson

Published Feb 2, 2016• 36 citations

arXiv HTML PDF

Abstract

We observe strong collective coupling between an optical cavity and the forbidden spin singlet to triplet optical transition

^{1}S_{0}

^{3}P_{1}

in an ensemble of

^{88}\text{Sr}

. Despite the transition being 1000 times weaker than a typical dipole transition, we observe a well-resolved vacuum Rabi splitting. We use the observed vacuum Rabi splitting to make nondestructive measurements of atomic population with the equivalent of projection-noise limited sensitivity between subsequent measurements and with minimal heating [

<0.01

(photon recoils)/atom]. This technique may be used to enhance the performance of optical lattice clocks by generating entangled states and reducing dead time.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.93.023804

Related papers

Nondestructive detection of ions using atom-cavity collective strong coupling

Sourav Dutta, S. A. Rangwala

We present a technique, based on atoms coupled to an optical cavity, for nondestructive detection of trapped ions. We demonstrate the vacuum-Rabi splitting (VRS), arising from collective strong coupling of ultracold Rb atoms and a cavity, to change in the presence of trapped $\mathrm{R}{\mathrm{b}}^{+}$ ions. The $\mathrm{R}{\mathrm{b}}^{+}$ ions are optically dark and the Rb atoms are prepared in a dark magneto-optical trap. The VRS is measured on an optically open transition of the initially dark Rb atoms. The measurement itself is fast, nondestructive, and has sufficient fidelity to permit the measurement of the atomic-state-selective ion-atom collision rate. This demonstration illustrates a method based on atom-cavity coupling to measure two-particle interactions generically and nondestructively.We present a technique, based on atoms coupled to an optical cavity, for nondestructive detection of trapped ions. We demonstrate the vacuum-Rabi splitting (VRS), arising from collective strong coupling of ultracold Rb atoms and a cavity, to change in the presence of trapped $\mathrm{R}{\mathrm{b}}^{+}$ ions. The $\mathrm{R}{\mathrm{b}}^{+}$ ions are optically dark and the Rb atoms are prepared in a dark magneto-optical trap. The VRS is measured on an optically open transition of the initially dark Rb atoms. The measurement itself is fast, nondestructive, and has sufficient fidelity to permit the measurement of the atomic-state-selective ion-atom collision rate. This demonstration illustrates a method based on atom-cavity coupling to measure two-particle interactions generically and nondestructively.

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Samuel P. Carman, Jan Rudolph, Benjamin E. Garber +7 more

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In this Letter we realize a narrow spectroscopic feature using a technique that we refer to as magnetically induced optical transparency. A cold ensemble of ^{88}Sr atoms interacts with a single mode of a high-finesse optical cavity via the 7.5 kHz linewidth, spin forbidden ^{1}S_{0} to ^{3}P_{1} transition. By applying a magnetic field that shifts two excited state Zeeman levels, we open a transmission window through the cavity where the collective vacuum Rabi splitting due to a single level would create destructive interference for probe transmission. The spectroscopic feature approaches the atomic transition linewidth, which is much narrower than the cavity linewidth, and is highly immune to the reference cavity length fluctuations that limit current state-of-the-art laser frequency stability.In this Letter we realize a narrow spectroscopic feature using a technique that we refer to as magnetically induced optical transparency. A cold ensemble of ^{88}Sr atoms interacts with a single mode of a high-finesse optical cavity via the 7.5 kHz linewidth, spin forbidden ^{1}S_{0} to ^{3}P_{1} transition. By applying a magnetic field that shifts two excited state Zeeman levels, we open a transmission window through the cavity where the collective vacuum Rabi splitting due to a single level would create destructive interference for probe transmission. The spectroscopic feature approaches the atomic transition linewidth, which is much narrower than the cavity linewidth, and is highly immune to the reference cavity length fluctuations that limit current state-of-the-art laser frequency stability.

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We present the experimental demonstration of nondestructive probing of the ${^{1}S}_{0}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{^{3}P}_{0}$ clock transition probability in an optical lattice clock with $^{87}\text{S}\text{r}$ atoms. It is based on the phase shift induced by the atoms on a weak off-resonant laser beam. The method we propose is a differential measurement of this phase shift on two modulation sidebands with opposite detuning with respect to the ${^{1}S}_{0}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{^{1}P}_{1}$ transition, allowing a detection limited by the photon shot noise. We have measured an atomic population of ${10}^{4}$ atoms with a signal-to-noise ratio of 100 per cycle, while keeping more than 95% of the atoms in the optical lattice with a depth of 0.1 mK. The method proves simple and robust enough to be operated as part of the whole clock setup. This detection scheme enables us to reuse atoms for subsequent clock state interrogations, dramatically reducing the loading time and thereby improving the clock frequency stability.We present the experimental demonstration of nondestructive probing of the ${^{1}S}_{0}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{^{3}P}_{0}$ clock transition probability in an optical lattice clock with $^{87}\text{S}\text{r}$ atoms. It is based on the phase shift induced by the atoms on a weak off-resonant laser beam. The method we propose is a differential measurement of this phase shift on two modulation sidebands with opposite detuning with respect to the ${^{1}S}_{0}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{^{1}P}_{1}$ transition, allowing a detection limited by the photon shot noise. We have measured an atomic population of ${10}^{4}$ atoms with a signal-to-noise ratio of 100 per cycle, while keeping more than 95% of the atoms in the optical lattice with a depth of 0.1 mK. The method proves simple and robust enough to be operated as part of the whole clock setup. This detection scheme enables us to reuse atoms for subsequent clock state interrogations, dramatically reducing the loading time and thereby improving the clock frequency stability.

arXiv:0902.2905Physical Review AJun 1, 2009108 citations

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Samuel P. Carman, Jan Rudolph, Benjamin E. Garber +7 more

The S 1 0 − P 3 0 clock transition in strontium serves as the foundation for the world’s best atomic clocks and for gravitational wave detector concepts in clock atom interferometry. This transition is weakly allowed in the fermionic isotope Sr 87 but strongly forbidden in bosonic isotopes. Here, we demonstrate coherent excitation of the clock transition in bosonic Sr 88 using a novel collinear three-photon process in a weak magnetic field. We observe Rabi oscillations with frequencies of up to 50 kHz using W / cm 2 laser intensities and Gauss-level magnetic field amplitudes. The absence of nuclear spin in bosonic isotopes offers decreased sensitivity to magnetic fields and optical lattice light shifts, enabling atomic clocks with reduced systematic errors. The collinear propagation of the laser fields permits the interrogation of spatially separated atomic ensembles with common laser pulses, a key requirement for dark matter searches and gravitational wave detection with next-generation quantum sensors.The S 1 0 − P 3 0 clock transition in strontium serves as the foundation for the world’s best atomic clocks and for gravitational wave detector concepts in clock atom interferometry. This transition is weakly allowed in the fermionic isotope Sr 87 but strongly forbidden in bosonic isotopes. Here, we demonstrate coherent excitation of the clock transition in bosonic Sr 88 using a novel collinear three-photon process in a weak magnetic field. We observe Rabi oscillations with frequencies of up to 50 kHz using W / cm 2 laser intensities and Gauss-level magnetic field amplitudes. The absence of nuclear spin in bosonic isotopes offers decreased sensitivity to magnetic fields and optical lattice light shifts, enabling atomic clocks with reduced systematic errors. The collinear propagation of the laser fields permits the interrogation of spatially separated atomic ensembles with common laser pulses, a key requirement for dark matter searches and gravitational wave detection with next-generation quantum sensors.

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Lasing on a narrow transition in a cold thermal strontium ensemble

Stefan Alaric Schäffer, Mikkel Tang, Martin R. Henriksen +3 more

Highly stable laser sources based on narrow atomic transitions provide a promising platform for direct generation of stable and accurate optical frequencies. Here we investigate a simple system operating in the high-temperature regime of cold atoms. The interaction between a thermal ensemble of $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}$ at mK temperatures and a medium-finesse cavity produces strong collective coupling and facilitates high atomic coherence, which causes lasing on the dipole forbidden $^{1}S_{0}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}^{3}P_{1}$ transition. We experimentally and theoretically characterize the lasing threshold and evolution of such a system and investigate decoherence effects in an unconfined ensemble. We model the system using a Tavis-Cummings model and characterize the velocity-dependent dynamics of the atoms as well as the dependency on the cavity detuning.Highly stable laser sources based on narrow atomic transitions provide a promising platform for direct generation of stable and accurate optical frequencies. Here we investigate a simple system operating in the high-temperature regime of cold atoms. The interaction between a thermal ensemble of $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}$ at mK temperatures and a medium-finesse cavity produces strong collective coupling and facilitates high atomic coherence, which causes lasing on the dipole forbidden $^{1}S_{0}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}^{3}P_{1}$ transition. We experimentally and theoretically characterize the lasing threshold and evolution of such a system and investigate decoherence effects in an unconfined ensemble. We model the system using a Tavis-Cummings model and characterize the velocity-dependent dynamics of the atoms as well as the dependency on the cavity detuning.

arXiv:1903.12593Physical Review AJan 17, 202062 citations

We observe strong collective coupling between an optical cavity and the forbidden spin singlet to triplet optical transition

^{1}S_{0}

^{3}P_{1}

in an ensemble of

^{88}\text{Sr}

<0.01

(photon recoils)/atom]. This technique may be used to enhance the performance of optical lattice clocks by generating entangled states and reducing dead time.

\mathrm{R}{\mathrm{b}}^{+}

ions. The

\mathrm{R}{\mathrm{b}}^{+}

ions are optically dark and the Rb atoms are prepared in a dark magneto-optical trap. The VRS is measured on an optically open transition of the initially dark Rb atoms. The measurement itself is fast, nondestructive, and has sufficient fidelity to permit the measurement of the atomic-state-selective ion-atom collision rate. This demonstration illustrates a method based on atom-cavity coupling to measure two-particle interactions generically and nondestructively.

The

{{^1\mathrm{S}_0}\!-\!{^3\mathrm{P}_0}}

clock transition in strontium serves as the foundation for the world's best atomic clocks and for gravitational wave detector concepts in clock atom interferometry. This transition is weakly allowed in the fermionic isotope

^{87}

Sr but strongly forbidden in bosonic isotopes. Here, we demonstrate coherent excitation of the clock transition in bosonic

{}^{88}

Sr using a novel collinear three-photon process in a weak magnetic field. We observe Rabi oscillations with frequencies of up to

50~\text{kHz}

using

\text{W}/\text{cm}^{2}

laser intensities and Gauss-level magnetic field amplitudes. The absence of nuclear spin in bosonic isotopes offers decreased sensitivity to magnetic fields and optical lattice light shifts, enabling atomic clocks with reduced systematic errors. The collinear propagation of the laser fields permits the interrogation of spatially separated atomic ensembles with common laser pulses, a key requirement for dark matter searches and gravitational wave detection with next-generation quantum sensors.

We present the experimental demonstration of nondestructive probing of the ${^{1}S}_{0}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{^{3}P}_{0}$ clock transition probability in an optical lattice clock with

^{87}\text{S}\text{r}

atoms. It is based on the phase shift induced by the atoms on a weak off-resonant laser beam. The method we propose is a differential measurement of this phase shift on two modulation sidebands with opposite detuning with respect to the ${^{1}S}_{0}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{^{1}P}_{1}$ transition, allowing a detection limited by the photon shot noise. We have measured an atomic population of

{10}^{4}

atoms with a signal-to-noise ratio of 100 per cycle, while keeping more than 95% of the atoms in the optical lattice with a depth of 0.1 mK. The method proves simple and robust enough to be operated as part of the whole clock setup. This detection scheme enables us to reuse atoms for subsequent clock state interrogations, dramatically reducing the loading time and thereby improving the clock frequency stability.

^{88}\mathrm{Sr}

at mK temperatures and a medium-finesse cavity produces strong collective coupling and facilitates high atomic coherence, which causes lasing on the dipole forbidden $^{1}S_{0}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}^{3}P_{1}$ transition. We experimentally and theoretically characterize the lasing threshold and evolution of such a system and investigate decoherence effects in an unconfined ensemble. We model the system using a Tavis-Cummings model and characterize the velocity-dependent dynamics of the atoms as well as the dependency on the cavity detuning.