We investigated the polarization properties of superfluorescence (SF) emitted from dense cesium atomic vapor in a cell. The atoms were excited from the 6 S ground to the 8 P state using a femtosecond laser pulse. The SF fields generated on the cascaded decay, 8 P → 8 S → 7 P , mediated the nonlinear optical process. We observed 4.2-µm and 456-nm forward directional emissions generated on the 8 S → 7 P and 7 P → 6 S transitions, respectively. The polarizations of the two fields were correlated in each laser shot, and their directions fluctuated from shot to shot, reflecting the noise that initiated the 4.2-µm emission.We investigated the polarization properties of superfluorescence (SF) emitted from dense cesium atomic vapor in a cell. The atoms were excited from the 6 S ground to the 8 P state using a femtosecond laser pulse. The SF fields generated on the cascaded decay, 8 P → 8 S → 7 P , mediated the nonlinear optical process. We observed 4.2-µm and 456-nm forward directional emissions generated on the 8 S → 7 P and 7 P → 6 S transitions, respectively. The polarizations of the two fields were correlated in each laser shot, and their directions fluctuated from shot to shot, reflecting the noise that initiated the 4.2-µm emission.

Optics LettersSep 9, 20216 citations

Quantum Beats in Superfluorescence in Atomic Cesium

Quirin H. F. Vrehen, H. M. J. Hikspoors, H. M. Gibbs

Superfluorescence has been observed at 3 \ensuremath{\mu}m on the $7P$ -to- $7S$ transition in atomic cesium after 2-ns excitation of a $6S$ -to- $7P$ transition. Both in a magnetic field and in zero field, quantum beats have been observed. The beat frequencies correspond not only to initial-level splittings but also to combinations of initial- and final-level splittings. Superfluorescence beats are therefore basically different from single-atom quantum beats.Superfluorescence has been observed at 3 \ensuremath{\mu}m on the $7P$-to-$7S$ transition in atomic cesium after 2-ns excitation of a $6S$-to-$7P$ transition. Both in a magnetic field and in zero field, quantum beats have been observed. The beat frequencies correspond not only to initial-level splittings but also to combinations of initial- and final-level splittings. Superfluorescence beats are therefore basically different from single-atom quantum beats.

Physical Review LettersApr 4, 1977110 citations

Superfluorescence has been observed at 3 \ensuremath{\mu}m on the

7P

-to-

7S

transition in atomic cesium after 2-ns excitation of a

6S

-to-

7P

transition. Both in a magnetic field and in zero field, quantum beats have been observed. The beat frequencies correspond not only to initial-level splittings but also to combinations of initial- and final-level splittings. Superfluorescence beats are therefore basically different from single-atom quantum beats.