We investigated coherent transient oscillations in the transmission intensity of a frequency-modulated probe-laser beam through a sample of trapped atoms. The transients occur when the frequency of the probe-laser beam crosses a resonance of the atoms in a time of the order of the lifetime of the excited state. A theoretical description used previously to explain transient effects observed in Mössbauer spectroscopy has been developed further to adapt for the specific frequency- and amplitude-modulation characteristics of current-modulated laser diodes. The transients were recorded at various experimental parameters, and the results of the experiments were compared with results obtained from slow frequency sweeps and independent measurements of the modulation characteristics of the laser. The results show that the theory accurately explains the coherent transient phenomena.We investigated coherent transient oscillations in the transmission intensity of a frequency-modulated probe-laser beam through a sample of trapped atoms. The transients occur when the frequency of the probe-laser beam crosses a resonance of the atoms in a time of the order of the lifetime of the excited state. A theoretical description used previously to explain transient effects observed in Mössbauer spectroscopy has been developed further to adapt for the specific frequency- and amplitude-modulation characteristics of current-modulated laser diodes. The transients were recorded at various experimental parameters, and the results of the experiments were compared with results obtained from slow frequency sweeps and independent measurements of the modulation characteristics of the laser. The results show that the theory accurately explains the coherent transient phenomena.

Journal of the Optical Society of America BDec 1, 199811 citations

Coherent transient effects of laser-cooled and trapped atoms

A. Pietiläinen, H. Ludvigsen, Hannu Talvitie +1 more

OSA Trends in Optics and Photonics SeriesJan 1, 19960 citations

Coherence-population-trapping transients induced by an ac magnetic field

L. Margalit, M. Rosenbluh, A. D. Wilson‐Gordon

Coherent-population-trapping transients induced by an ac magnetic field are investigated theoretically for a realistic three-level $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ system in the ${D}_{1}$ line of ${}^{87}$ Rb. The contributions to the transient probe absorption from the various subsystems that compose the realistic atomic system are examined and the absorption of each $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ subsystem is compared to that of a simple $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ system. The population redistribution due to optical pumping is shown to be the dominant cause of the difference between the contributions of the various subsystems to the oscillatory character of the probe absorption. We also discuss the series of transients that reappear every half-cycle time of a modulated magnetic field when the system is in two-photon resonance, and we study the transient behavior as a function of the probe detuning. The effect of a buffer gas on the amplitude and shape of the transients is considered.Coherent-population-trapping transients induced by an ac magnetic field are investigated theoretically for a realistic three-level $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ system in the ${D}_{1}$ line of ${}^{87}$Rb. The contributions to the transient probe absorption from the various subsystems that compose the realistic atomic system are examined and the absorption of each $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ subsystem is compared to that of a simple $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ system. The population redistribution due to optical pumping is shown to be the dominant cause of the difference between the contributions of the various subsystems to the oscillatory character of the probe absorption. We also discuss the series of transients that reappear every half-cycle time of a modulated magnetic field when the system is in two-photon resonance, and we study the transient behavior as a function of the probe detuning. The effect of a buffer gas on the amplitude and shape of the transients is considered.

Physical Review AJun 8, 201212 citations

Coherent Transient Effects of Laser-Cooled and Trapped Atoms

A. Pietiläinen, H. Ludvigsen, Hannu Talvitie +1 more

European Quantum Electronics Conference (EQEC)Jan 1, 19960 citations

Coherent-population-trapping transients induced by an ac magnetic field are investigated theoretically for a realistic three-level $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ system in the

{D}_{1}

line of

{}^{87}

Rb. The contributions to the transient probe absorption from the various subsystems that compose the realistic atomic system are examined and the absorption of each $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ subsystem is compared to that of a simple $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ system. The population redistribution due to optical pumping is shown to be the dominant cause of the difference between the contributions of the various subsystems to the oscillatory character of the probe absorption. We also discuss the series of transients that reappear every half-cycle time of a modulated magnetic field when the system is in two-photon resonance, and we study the transient behavior as a function of the probe detuning. The effect of a buffer gas on the amplitude and shape of the transients is considered.