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Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference

Control and measurement of quantum wave packets

P. H. Bucksbaum

Published Jan 20, 2003• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Summary form only given. Many realized or potential applications of optically driven ultrafast quantum dynamics require specially shaped quantum states, with the ability to detect these shapes and modify them using active feedback. We have developed methods to sculpt wave packets using shaped ultrafast optical pulses. We can also view these wave packets using quantum interference methods that have been adapted from holographic techniques used to characterize classical light. These quantum state holograms have been used as feedback to sculpt specific target shapes.

DOI
10.1109/qels.1999.807487

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Summary form only given. Many realized or potential applications of optically driven ultrafast quantum dynamics require specially shaped quantum states, with the ability to detect these shapes and modify them using active feedback. We have developed methods to sculpt wave packets using shaped ultrafast optical pulses. We can also view these wave packets using quantum interference methods that have been adapted from holographic techniques used to characterize classical light. These quantum state holograms have been used as feedback to sculpt specific target shapes.
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The control of atoms and molecules using coherent light fields has been a long-standing goal in chemical physics. This thesis discusses experiments which use a programmable pulse shaper to control the quantum state of electronic wavepackets in Rydberg atoms and electronic and nuclear dynamics in molecular liquids. The shape of Rydberg wavepackets was controlled by using tailored ultrafast pulses to excite a beam of cesium atoms. The quantum state of these atoms was measured using holographic techniques borrowed from optics. The experiments with molecular liquids involved the construction of an automated learning machine. A Genetic Algorithm directed the choice of shaped pulses which interacted with the molecular system inside a learning control loop. Analysis of successful pulse shapes that were found by using the GA yield insight into the systems being controlled.
A longstanding goal in chemical physics has been the control of atoms and molecules using coherent light fields. This paper provides a brief overview of the field and discusses experiments that use a programmable pulse shaper to control the quantum state of electronic wavepackets in Rydberg atoms and electronic and nuclear dynamics in molecular liquids. The shape of Rydberg wavepackets was controlled by using tailored ultrafast pulses to excite a beam of caesium atoms. The quantum state of these atoms was measured using holographic techniques borrowed from optics. The experiments with molecular liquids involved the construction of an automated learning machine. A genetic algorithm directed the choice of shaped pulses which interacted with the molecular system inside a learning control loop. Analysis of successful pulse shapes that were found by using the genetic algorithm yield insight into the systems being controlled.