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:2407.17991 · Physical Review A

Interaction of vector light beams with atoms exposed to a time-dependent magnetic field

S. Ramakrishna, R. P. Schmidt, A. A. Peshkov, Sonja Franke‐Arnold, A. Surzhykov, S. Fritzsche

Published Oct 1, 2024• 8 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

During recent years, interest has been rising for applications of vector light beams toward magnetic field sensing. A series of experiments were performed to extract information about properties of static magnetic fields from absorption profiles of light passing through an atomic gas target. In this paper, we propose an extension to this method for oscillating magnetic fields. To investigate this scenario, we carried out theoretical analysis based on the time-dependent density matrix theory. We found that absorption profiles, even when averaged over typical observation times, are indeed sensitive to both strength and frequency of the time-dependent field, thus opening the prospect for a powerful diagnostic technique. To illustrate this sensitivity, we performed detailed calculations for the $5s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}(F=1)\ensuremath{-}5p{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{3/2}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}(F=0)$ transition in rubidium atoms, subject to a superposition of an oscillating (test) and a static (reference) magnetic field.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.110.043101

Related papers

Interaction of a Poincaré beam with optically polarized atoms in the presence of a constant magnetic field

S. Ramakrishna, S. Fritzsche

Recent studies have highlighted the frequent applications of structured light modes in optically pumped atomic magnetometers. In this work, we theoretically explore how a Poincaré beam probes an optically polarized atomic medium. Specifically, we consider atoms polarized by a plane wave with linear polarization, immersed in a constant external magnetic field. We analyze how the polarization of the pump and probe light fields, along with the external magnetic field, impact the absorption profile. To this end, we employ a density-matrix approach based on the Liouville–von Neumann equation. Our results reveal that the absorption profile exhibits an asymmetric pattern that depends on the magnetic-field strength and the mutual orientation of the pump and probe light propagation directions relative to the quantization axis. For illustration, we assume the incoming radiation drives an electric dipole transition, 5 s 2 S 1 / 2 ( F = 1 ) → 5 p 2 P 3 / 2 ( F = 0 ), in rubidium atoms subjected to a magnetic field. These findings may aid in designing future experiments on optically pumped atomic magnetometers utilizing structured light modes.

arXiv:2503.18927•Physical Review A•Jun 11, 2025•2 citations

Unambiguous vector magnetometry with structured light in atomic vapor

Seeram Ramakrishna, S. Fritzsche

Absorption profiles of vector light upon interaction with atomic vapor carries distinct signatures of an external magnetic field vector. However, this signature becomes ambiguous for antiparallel magnetic field vectors of equal magnitude, which makes their absorption profiles visually indistinguishable. To resolve this ambiguity, we present a theoretical analysis of the interaction of vector light with optically polarized atoms immersed in reference and test magnetic fields. Furthermore, we demonstrate the complete characterization of the arbitrarily oriented test magnetic field via a Fourier analysis of the absorption profile. This analysis reveals a one-to-one correspondence between the magnetic field properties and the profile's contrast and rotational angle. Our findings open an avenue to design an optical vector atomic magnetometer based on structured light fields.

arXiv:2601.22998•Physical Review A•Mar 4, 2026•1 citation

Probing the isolated vector magnetic field of structured laser beams by atoms

R. P. Schmidt, S. Martín-Domene, A. A. Peshkov +2 more

Electric and magnetic fields are inherently coupled in an electromagnetic wave. However, structured light beams enable their spatial separation. In particular, azimuthally polarized laser beams exhibit a localized magnetic field on-axis without the electric counterpart. A recent study by Martín-Domene [S. Martín-Domene , ] has shown that combining these beams enables the generation of locally isolated magnetic fields with a controllable direction and phase. In the present paper, we propose a method to probe and characterize such magnetic fields by studying their interaction with a single trapped atom. In order to theoretically investigate magnetic sublevel populations and their dependence on the relative orientation and phase—i.e., the —of the isolated magnetic field, we use a time-dependent density-matrix method based on the Liouville–von Neumann equation. As illustrative cases, we consider the 2 s 2 2 p 2 P 0 3 − 2 s 2 2 p 2 P 1 3 , 1 s 2 2 s 2 S 0 1 − 1 s 2 2 s 2 p P 2 3 , and 2 s 2 2 p P 1 / 2 2 − 2 s 2 2 p P 3 / 2 2 transitions in Ca 14 + 40 , Be 10 , and Ar 13 + 38 , respectively. Our results indicate that monitoring atomic populations serves as an effective tool for probing isolated vector magnetic fields, which opens avenues for studying laser-induced processes in atomic systems where electric-field suppression is critical.

arXiv:2509.01561•Physical Review A•Nov 18, 2025•0 citations

The effect of the magnetic field on the coupling between the sublevels of rubidium-87 D1 line and the circularly polarized light

Mohaddese Ebrahimi, S. Mojtaba Tabatabaei, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi

Abstract The degree of Zeeman splitting of ground-state sublevels in the presence of a magnetic field can be measured using atomic sensors. The coherence of the spins in the ensemble affects the efficiency of an atomic magnetometer. The sensitivity of these sensors depends on the line width of the magnetic resonance curve, which is related to the coherence lifetime of the atomic spins. Atomic polarization influences the optical properties of the medium, making it anisotropic. The relatively long lifetime of ground-state polarization is a useful tool for measuring the energy-level splitting. The modification associated with the atomic coherence in the presence of an external magnetic field leads to interesting absorption effects in the atomic environment. The splitting of magnetic sublevels and the transition between them under the application of a magnetic field are quantum mechanical images of the interaction between a field and an atomic spin that must be analyzed using a density matrix. In the present work, magneto-optical effects with circularly polarized light such as the dynamic properties and evolution of sublevels of the rubidium-87 D1 line and the absorption properties of the atomic polarized environment are studied theoretically using the reduced density matrix approach.

•Mar 15, 2022•0 citations

Time-dependent resonant magneto-optical rotation

D. Dziczek

Results of a fairly straightforward experiment on resonant magneto-optical rotation by rubidium-87 atoms revealed strong time-dependence of the polarization plane of light emerging from atomic vapors following a sudden irradiation with a laser beam. The rotation of the plane appears as a not direct consequence of the influence of the magnetic field on atoms. Reported measurements conducted using a vapor cell without any buffer gas or an anti-relaxation wall coating show that transmitted light has initially the same (linear) polarization as the incident one. Rotation of the polarization plane caused by an axial magnetic field develops in time scales similar to the pace of establishing the optical pumping/relaxation equilibrium in the atomic ensemble. The traditional passive Faraday rotation picture providing working description for the resonant magneto-optical effects in steady-state conditions does not explain the observed sequence of evolution of the polarization. The picture has to be augmented with analysis of time dependence in the spatial distribution of relevant quantum states within the atomic ensemble as well as longitudinal and transversal intensity profiles of the light beam. Isolation of external effects caused by the optical pumping and relaxation processes from consequences of internal atomic coherences should uncover more details of mechanisms of the latter in the presence of magnetic field. Plentitude of data available from time-dependent polarization measurements provides strong incentives for further development and tests of comprehensive models of coherent interactions of atomic ensembles with radiation and possibly a base for additional advance in understanding and applications of these phenomena.

arXiv:1501.00608•Jan 3, 2015•0 citations

Measuring Magnetic Fields with Magnetic-Field-Insensitive Transitions

Yotam Shapira, Yehonatan Dallal, Roee Ozeri +1 more

Atomic sensing is, at large, based on measuring energy differences. Specifically, magnetometry is typically performed by using a superposition of two quantum states, the energy difference of which depends linearly on the magnetic field due to the Zeeman effect. The magnetic field is then evaluated from repeated measurements of the accumulated dynamic phase between the two Zeeman states. Here we show that atomic clock states, with an energy separation that is independent of the magnetic field, can nevertheless acquire a phase that is magnetic field dependent. We experimentally demonstrate this on an ensemble of optically trapped ^{87}Rb atoms. Finally, we use this effect to propose a magnetic field sensing method for static and time-dependent magnetic fields and analyze its sensitivity, showing it essentially allows for high-sensitivity magnetometery.

arXiv:1902.02370•Physical Review Letters•Sep 27, 2019•5 citations
During recent years, interest has been rising for applications of vector light beams toward magnetic field sensing. A series of experiments were performed to extract information about properties of static magnetic fields from absorption profiles of light passing through an atomic gas target. In this paper, we propose an extension to this method for oscillating magnetic fields. To investigate this scenario, we carried out theoretical analysis based on the time-dependent density matrix theory. We found that absorption profiles, even when averaged over typical observation times, are indeed sensitive to both strength and frequency of the time-dependent field, thus opening the prospect for a powerful diagnostic technique. To illustrate this sensitivity, we performed detailed calculations for the 5s2S1/2(F=1)\ensuremath−5p2P3/2(F=0)5s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}(F=1)\ensuremath{-}5p{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{3/2}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}(F=0)5s2S1/2​(F=1)\ensuremath−5p2P3/2​(F=0) transition in rubidium atoms, subject to a superposition of an oscillating (test) and a static (reference) magnetic field.
Recent studies have highlighted the frequent applications of structured light modes in optically pumped atomic magnetometers. In this work, we theoretically explore how a Poincaré beam probes an optically polarized atomic medium. Specifically, we consider atoms polarized by a plane wave with linear polarization, immersed in a constant external magnetic field. We analyze how the polarization of the pump and probe light fields, along with the external magnetic field, impact the absorption profile. To this end, we employ a density-matrix approach based on the Liouville–von Neumann equation. Our results reveal that the absorption profile exhibits an asymmetric pattern that depends on the magnetic-field strength and the mutual orientation of the pump and probe light propagation directions relative to the quantization axis. For illustration, we assume the incoming radiation drives an electric dipole transition, 5 s 2 S 1 / 2 ( F = 1 ) → 5 p 2 P 3 / 2 ( F = 0 ), in rubidium atoms subjected to a magnetic field. These findings may aid in designing future experiments on optically pumped atomic magnetometers utilizing structured light modes.
Absorption profiles of vector light upon interaction with atomic vapor carries distinct signatures of an external magnetic field vector. However, this signature becomes ambiguous for antiparallel magnetic field vectors of equal magnitude, which makes their absorption profiles visually indistinguishable. To resolve this ambiguity, we present a theoretical analysis of the interaction of vector light with optically polarized atoms immersed in reference and test magnetic fields. Furthermore, we demonstrate the complete characterization of the arbitrarily oriented test magnetic field via a Fourier analysis of the absorption profile. This analysis reveals a one-to-one correspondence between the magnetic field properties and the profile's contrast and rotational angle. Our findings open an avenue to design an optical vector atomic magnetometer based on structured light fields.
Electric and magnetic fields are inherently coupled in an electromagnetic wave. However, structured light beams enable their spatial separation. In particular, azimuthally polarized laser beams exhibit a localized magnetic field on-axis without the electric counterpart. A recent study by Martín-Domene [S. Martín-Domene , ] has shown that combining these beams enables the generation of locally isolated magnetic fields with a controllable direction and phase. In the present paper, we propose a method to probe and characterize such magnetic fields by studying their interaction with a single trapped atom. In order to theoretically investigate magnetic sublevel populations and their dependence on the relative orientation and phase—i.e., the —of the isolated magnetic field, we use a time-dependent density-matrix method based on the Liouville–von Neumann equation. As illustrative cases, we consider the 2 s 2 2 p 2 P 0 3 − 2 s 2 2 p 2 P 1 3 , 1 s 2 2 s 2 S 0 1 − 1 s 2 2 s 2 p P 2 3 , and 2 s 2 2 p P 1 / 2 2 − 2 s 2 2 p P 3 / 2 2 transitions in Ca 14 + 40 , Be 10 , and Ar 13 + 38 , respectively. Our results indicate that monitoring atomic populations serves as an effective tool for probing isolated vector magnetic fields, which opens avenues for studying laser-induced processes in atomic systems where electric-field suppression is critical.
Abstract The degree of Zeeman splitting of ground-state sublevels in the presence of a magnetic field can be measured using atomic sensors. The coherence of the spins in the ensemble affects the efficiency of an atomic magnetometer. The sensitivity of these sensors depends on the line width of the magnetic resonance curve, which is related to the coherence lifetime of the atomic spins. Atomic polarization influences the optical properties of the medium, making it anisotropic. The relatively long lifetime of ground-state polarization is a useful tool for measuring the energy-level splitting. The modification associated with the atomic coherence in the presence of an external magnetic field leads to interesting absorption effects in the atomic environment. The splitting of magnetic sublevels and the transition between them under the application of a magnetic field are quantum mechanical images of the interaction between a field and an atomic spin that must be analyzed using a density matrix. In the present work, magneto-optical effects with circularly polarized light such as the dynamic properties and evolution of sublevels of the rubidium-87 D1 line and the absorption properties of the atomic polarized environment are studied theoretically using the reduced density matrix approach.
Results of a fairly straightforward experiment on resonant magneto-optical rotation by rubidium-87 atoms revealed strong time-dependence of the polarization plane of light emerging from atomic vapors following a sudden irradiation with a laser beam. The rotation of the plane appears as a not direct consequence of the influence of the magnetic field on atoms. Reported measurements conducted using a vapor cell without any buffer gas or an anti-relaxation wall coating show that transmitted light has initially the same (linear) polarization as the incident one. Rotation of the polarization plane caused by an axial magnetic field develops in time scales similar to the pace of establishing the optical pumping/relaxation equilibrium in the atomic ensemble. The traditional passive Faraday rotation picture providing working description for the resonant magneto-optical effects in steady-state conditions does not explain the observed sequence of evolution of the polarization. The picture has to be augmented with analysis of time dependence in the spatial distribution of relevant quantum states within the atomic ensemble as well as longitudinal and transversal intensity profiles of the light beam. Isolation of external effects caused by the optical pumping and relaxation processes from consequences of internal atomic coherences should uncover more details of mechanisms of the latter in the presence of magnetic field. Plentitude of data available from time-dependent polarization measurements provides strong incentives for further development and tests of comprehensive models of coherent interactions of atomic ensembles with radiation and possibly a base for additional advance in understanding and applications of these phenomena.
Atomic sensing is, at large, based on measuring energy differences. Specifically, magnetometry is typically performed by using a superposition of two quantum states, the energy difference of which depends linearly on the magnetic field due to the Zeeman effect. The magnetic field is then evaluated from repeated measurements of the accumulated dynamic phase between the two Zeeman states. Here we show that atomic clock states, with an energy separation that is independent of the magnetic field, can nevertheless acquire a phase that is magnetic field dependent. We experimentally demonstrate this on an ensemble of optically trapped ^{87}Rb atoms. Finally, we use this effect to propose a magnetic field sensing method for static and time-dependent magnetic fields and analyze its sensitivity, showing it essentially allows for high-sensitivity magnetometery.