Physical Review Letters

Observation of Quantum Jumps in a Single Atom

Jonas Bergquist, Randall G. Hulet, Wayne M. Itano, David J. Wineland

Published Oct 6, 1986• 722 citations

Abstract

We detect the radiatively driven electric quadrupole transition to the metastable $^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}}$ state in a single, laser-cooled Hg II ion by monitoring the abrupt cessation of the fluorescence signal from the laser-excited $^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{2}P_{\frac{1}{2}}$ first resonance line. When the ion "jumps" back from the metastable $D$ state to the ground $S$ state, the $S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}P$ resonance fluorescence signal immediately returns. The statistical properties of the quantum jumps are investigated; for example, photon antibunching in the emission from the $D$ state is observed with 100% efficiency.

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.57.1699

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Observation of quantum jumps in a single atom

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Single, trapped Sr^+ atom: laser cooling and quantum jumps by means of the 4d^2D_5/2–5s^2S_1/2 transition

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Physical Review LettersOct 6, 1986649 citations

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Physical Review Letters

Observation of Quantum Jumps in a Single Atom

Jonas Bergquist, Randall G. Hulet, Wayne M. Itano, David J. Wineland

Published Oct 6, 1986• 722 citations

Publisher

Abstract

We detect the radiatively driven electric quadrupole transition to the metastable

^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}}

state in a single, laser-cooled Hg II ion by monitoring the abrupt cessation of the fluorescence signal from the laser-excited

^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{2}P_{\frac{1}{2}}

first resonance line. When the ion "jumps" back from the metastable

D

state to the ground

S

state, the

S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}P

resonance fluorescence signal immediately returns. The statistical properties of the quantum jumps are investigated; for example, photon antibunching in the emission from the

D

state is observed with 100% efficiency.

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.57.1699

Related papers

Observation of quantum jumps in a single atom

Jonas Bergquist, Randall G. Hulet, Wayne M. Itano +1 more

One of the experiments made possible by the trapping and cooling of a single atom is to observe the quantum jumps to a metastable state in the atom by monitoring the resonance fluorescence of a strong transition in which at least one of the states is coupled to the metastable state. When the atomic electron moves to the metastable state, the fluorescence from the strongly driven transition disappears. When the electron drops back into the strongly driven transition, the fluorescence abruptly returns. Statistical analysis of these random interruptions to the fluorescence signal implies photon antibunching in the emission of the weak photon.One of the experiments made possible by the trapping and cooling of a single atom is to observe the quantum jumps to a metastable state in the atom by monitoring the resonance fluorescence of a strong transition in which at least one of the states is coupled to the metastable state. When the atomic electron moves to the metastable state, the fluorescence from the strongly driven transition disappears. When the electron drops back into the strongly driven transition, the fluorescence abruptly returns. Statistical analysis of these random interruptions to the fluorescence signal implies photon antibunching in the emission of the weak photon.

International Laser Science ConferenceJan 1, 198632 citations

Single, trapped Sr^+ atom: laser cooling and quantum jumps by means of the 4d^2D_5/2–5s^2S_1/2 transition

Alan A. Madej, J. D. Sankey

A single Sr+ atom was confined in a radio-frequency quadrupole trap and laser cooled with resonant laser light. Examination of the transition Doppler profile indicated an ion kinetic temperature of less than 500 mK. Quantum jumps into and out of the metastable 4d(2)D(5/2) level were observed by laser excitation on the electric-quadrupole-allowed transition from the ground state at 674 nm. The dark and bright periods in the strong fluorescence showed variations owing to the applied driving field on the electric-quadrupole transition. These results provide an improved determination of tau = 372 +/- 25 msec for the natural metastable-state lifetime.A single Sr+ atom was confined in a radio-frequency quadrupole trap and laser cooled with resonant laser light. Examination of the transition Doppler profile indicated an ion kinetic temperature of less than 500 mK. Quantum jumps into and out of the metastable 4d(2)D(5/2) level were observed by laser excitation on the electric-quadrupole-allowed transition from the ground state at 674 nm. The dark and bright periods in the strong fluorescence showed variations owing to the applied driving field on the electric-quadrupole transition. These results provide an improved determination of tau = 372 +/- 25 msec for the natural metastable-state lifetime.

Optics LettersMay 15, 199068 citations

Photon antibunching and sub-Poissonian statistics from quantum jumps in one and two atoms

Wayne M. Itano, Jonas Bergquist, David J. Wineland

Antibunching and sub-Poissonian statistics of the 11-\ensuremath{\mu}m photon emission from the ${5d}^{10}{6p}^{2}{P}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ to ${5d}^{6}{6s}^{2}^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}}$ transition in one and two trapped ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{+}$ ions have been inferred from the quantum jumps of the laser-induced fluorescence of the first resonance transition at 194 nm. Each downward step in fluorescence was assumed to mark the emission of an 11-\ensuremath{\mu}m photon. Signals from two ions were consistent with the assumption that quantum jumps in the two ions occurred independently. Mandel's $Q$ parameter was determined to be approximately -0.25 for one and two ions.Antibunching and sub-Poissonian statistics of the 11-\ensuremath{\mu}m photon emission from the ${5d}^{10}{6p}^{2}{P}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ to ${5d}^{6}{6s}^{2}^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}}$ transition in one and two trapped ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{+}$ ions have been inferred from the quantum jumps of the laser-induced fluorescence of the first resonance transition at 194 nm. Each downward step in fluorescence was assumed to mark the emission of an 11-\ensuremath{\mu}m photon. Signals from two ions were consistent with the assumption that quantum jumps in the two ions occurred independently. Mandel's $Q$ parameter was determined to be approximately -0.25 for one and two ions.

Physical Review AJul 1, 198853 citations

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Richard J. Cook, Harry J. Kimble

In a single-atom double-resonance experiment involving a strong and a weak transition, quantum jumps on the weak transition cause the fluorescence of the strong transition to turn on and off abruptly. The fluorescence is off when the weak transition is excited and on when it is not. Thus quantum jumps on the weak transition can be directly monitored by observation of the random telegraph signal radiated by the strong transition. We present here a simple theory of this effect for the case of incoherent excitation.In a single-atom double-resonance experiment involving a strong and a weak transition, quantum jumps on the weak transition cause the fluorescence of the strong transition to turn on and off abruptly. The fluorescence is off when the weak transition is excited and on when it is not. Thus quantum jumps on the weak transition can be directly monitored by observation of the random telegraph signal radiated by the strong transition. We present here a simple theory of this effect for the case of incoherent excitation.

Physical Review LettersMar 11, 1985302 citations

Observation of Quantum Jumps

Thilo Sauter, Werner Neuhauser, R. Blatt +1 more

We have recorded the laser-excited resonance fluorescence of one to three ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ ions and observed Bohr's "quantum jumps" when an ion decayed to the metastable $^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}}$ state, suddenly quenching its fluorescence. Most of the jumps mark Raman-Stokes scattering from the $^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}$ and $^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}}$ levels.We have recorded the laser-excited resonance fluorescence of one to three ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ ions and observed Bohr's "quantum jumps" when an ion decayed to the metastable $^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}}$ state, suddenly quenching its fluorescence. Most of the jumps mark Raman-Stokes scattering from the $^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}$ and $^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}}$ levels.

Physical Review LettersOct 6, 1986649 citations

Laser cooling and quantum jumps of a single indium ion

E. Peik, Guenter Hollemann, HERBERT WALTHER

We performed laser spectroscopy of ${\mathrm{In}}^{+}$ ions stored in a radio-frequency trap. The 5 ${\mathit{s}}^{2}$ $^{1}$ ${\mathit{S}}_{0}$ \ensuremath{\rightarrow}5s5p $^{3}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{1}$ transition at 230.6 nm was excited and its hyperfine splitting and isotope shift have been measured. The lifetime of the $^{3}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{1}$ state was measured using intensity modulated laser excitation: \ensuremath{\tau} ${(}^{3}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{1}$ )=0.44(4) \ensuremath{\mu}s. A single indium ion was laser cooled using this intercombination line and dark periods in the fluorescence were observed when the metastable $^{3}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{0}$ state was populated by a magnetic dipole decay from $^{3}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{1}$ . The radiative lifetime of the forbidden transition $^{3}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{0}$ ${\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}^{1}$ ${\mathit{S}}_{0}$ was determined from the duration of the dark periods: \ensuremath{\tau} ${(}^{3}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{0}$ )=0.14(2) s. This value is compared to calculations based on perturbation theory. Prospects for an optical frequency standard using the narrow 5 ${\mathit{s}}^{2}$ $^{1}$ ${\mathit{S}}_{0}$ \ensuremath{\rightarrow}5s5p $^{3}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{0}$ resonance at 236.5 nm of a single laser-cooled indium ion are discussed.We performed laser spectroscopy of ${\mathrm{In}}^{+}$ ions stored in a radio-frequency trap. The 5${\mathit{s}}^{2}$ $^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5s5p $^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{1}$ transition at 230.6 nm was excited and its hyperfine splitting and isotope shift have been measured. The lifetime of the $^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{1}$ state was measured using intensity modulated laser excitation: \ensuremath{\tau}${(}^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{1}$)=0.44(4) \ensuremath{\mu}s. A single indium ion was laser cooled using this intercombination line and dark periods in the fluorescence were observed when the metastable $^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{0}$ state was populated by a magnetic dipole decay from $^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{1}$. The radiative lifetime of the forbidden transition $^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{0}$${\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$ was determined from the duration of the dark periods: \ensuremath{\tau}${(}^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{0}$)=0.14(2) s. This value is compared to calculations based on perturbation theory. Prospects for an optical frequency standard using the narrow 5${\mathit{s}}^{2}$ $^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5s5p $^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{0}$ resonance at 236.5 nm of a single laser-cooled indium ion are discussed.

Physical Review AJan 1, 1994104 citations

We detect the radiatively driven electric quadrupole transition to the metastable

^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}}

state in a single, laser-cooled Hg II ion by monitoring the abrupt cessation of the fluorescence signal from the laser-excited

^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{2}P_{\frac{1}{2}}

first resonance line. When the ion "jumps" back from the metastable

D

state to the ground

S

state, the

S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}P

resonance fluorescence signal immediately returns. The statistical properties of the quantum jumps are investigated; for example, photon antibunching in the emission from the

D

state is observed with 100% efficiency.

Antibunching and sub-Poissonian statistics of the 11-\ensuremath{\mu}m photon emission from the

{5d}^{10}{6p}^{2}{P}_{\frac{1}{2}}

to ${5d}^{6}{6s}^{2}^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}}$ transition in one and two trapped

{\mathrm{Hg}}^{+}

ions have been inferred from the quantum jumps of the laser-induced fluorescence of the first resonance transition at 194 nm. Each downward step in fluorescence was assumed to mark the emission of an 11-\ensuremath{\mu}m photon. Signals from two ions were consistent with the assumption that quantum jumps in the two ions occurred independently. Mandel's

Q

parameter was determined to be approximately -0.25 for one and two ions.

We have recorded the laser-excited resonance fluorescence of one to three

{\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}

ions and observed Bohr's "quantum jumps" when an ion decayed to the metastable

^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}}

state, suddenly quenching its fluorescence. Most of the jumps mark Raman-Stokes scattering from the

^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}

and

^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}}

levels.

We performed laser spectroscopy of

{\mathrm{In}}^{+}

ions stored in a radio-frequency trap. The 5

{\mathit{s}}^{2}

^{1}

{\mathit{S}}_{0}

\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5s5p

^{3}

{\mathit{P}}_{1}

transition at 230.6 nm was excited and its hyperfine splitting and isotope shift have been measured. The lifetime of the

^{3}

{\mathit{P}}_{1}

state was measured using intensity modulated laser excitation: \ensuremath{\tau}

{(}^{3}

{\mathit{P}}_{1}

)=0.44(4) \ensuremath{\mu}s. A single indium ion was laser cooled using this intercombination line and dark periods in the fluorescence were observed when the metastable

^{3}

{\mathit{P}}_{0}

state was populated by a magnetic dipole decay from

^{3}

{\mathit{P}}_{1}

. The radiative lifetime of the forbidden transition

^{3}

{\mathit{P}}_{0}

${\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}^{1}$

{\mathit{S}}_{0}

was determined from the duration of the dark periods: \ensuremath{\tau}

{(}^{3}

{\mathit{P}}_{0}

)=0.14(2) s. This value is compared to calculations based on perturbation theory. Prospects for an optical frequency standard using the narrow 5

{\mathit{s}}^{2}

^{1}

{\mathit{S}}_{0}

\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5s5p

^{3}

{\mathit{P}}_{0}

resonance at 236.5 nm of a single laser-cooled indium ion are discussed.