We have studied the response of atoms in a dilute collimated atomic beam to transient phase-controlled resonant excitation fields. We demonstrate that the use of such excitation makes it possible to place the atoms into stationary states of the coupled atom-field system. We show that these states, which are easily visualized in the two-level-atom vector model, are equivalent to the dressed states of resonance fluorescence theory. Studies of atoms in pure dressed states should allow interesting tests of basic atom-field interactions.We have studied the response of atoms in a dilute collimated atomic beam to transient phase-controlled resonant excitation fields. We demonstrate that the use of such excitation makes it possible to place the atoms into stationary states of the coupled atom-field system. We show that these states, which are easily visualized in the two-level-atom vector model, are equivalent to the dressed states of resonance fluorescence theory. Studies of atoms in pure dressed states should allow interesting tests of basic atom-field interactions.

Physical Review LettersSep 16, 198586 citations

Laboratory study of resonance fluorescence

Thomas J. Mcilrath, Thomas J. McGee

Jan 1, 19800 citations

Resonance fluorescence in phase-frequency modulated laser fields

P. Zoller, F. Ehlotzky

The European Physical Journal ASep 1, 19784 citations

Transient spectra of strong-field resonance fluorescence

J. E. Golub, THOMAS W. MOSSBERG

Working with a beam of two-level--atom--like $^{174}\mathrm{Yb}$ , we have measured the temporal evolution of strong-field resonance fluorescence spectra during square-pulse excitation. In the case of resonant excitation, it is found that driving-field phase shifts transform the normal three-peaked Mollow spectrum into a transient doublet spectrum asymmetric with respect to the atomic transition frequency. This qualitatively new type of spectrum provides fundamental insight into the connection between atomic dynamics and spectra, and results from a nearly perfect polarization of the dressed atom-field states.Working with a beam of two-level--atom--like $^{174}\mathrm{Yb}$, we have measured the temporal evolution of strong-field resonance fluorescence spectra during square-pulse excitation. In the case of resonant excitation, it is found that driving-field phase shifts transform the normal three-peaked Mollow spectrum into a transient doublet spectrum asymmetric with respect to the atomic transition frequency. This qualitatively new type of spectrum provides fundamental insight into the connection between atomic dynamics and spectra, and results from a nearly perfect polarization of the dressed atom-field states.

Physical Review LettersNov 9, 198728 citations

Squeezed States in Transient Regime of Resonance Fluorescence

Z. Ficek, R. Tanaś, S. Kielich

The nonclassical nature of the so-called squeezed states of electromagnetic fields has recently been discussed in connection with the phenomenon of resonance fluorescence from a coherently driven two-level atom.1 It has been shown that either the in-phase component E1 or the out-of-phase component E2 of the fluorescent field can become squeezed if the Rabi frequency Ω of the ex- citing field is sufficiently low. Squeezing is defined as a negative value of the normally ordered variance 〈: (ΔE1)2:〉 (or 〈:(ΔE2)2:〈). To satisfy this condition in the steady state, if the exciting field is tuned perfectly to the atomic transition, the Rabi frequency Ω has to be less than √2y, with 2y = A—the Einstein coefficient for spontaneous emission. Off-resonance excitation further lowers this critical value of 0. Walls and Zoller1 have indicated, without giving the details, that, in a transient regime, the squeezing effect can become twice as large as in the steady state.The nonclassical nature of the so-called squeezed states of electromagnetic fields has recently been discussed in connection with the phenomenon of resonance fluorescence from a coherently driven two-level atom.1 It has been shown that either the in-phase component E1 or the out-of-phase component E2 of the fluorescent field can become squeezed if the Rabi frequency Ω of the ex- citing field is sufficiently low. Squeezing is defined as a negative value of the normally ordered variance 〈: (ΔE1)2:〉 (or 〈:(ΔE2)2:〈). To satisfy this condition in the steady state, if the exciting field is tuned perfectly to the atomic transition, the Rabi frequency Ω has to be less than √2y, with 2y = A—the Einstein coefficient for spontaneous emission. Off-resonance excitation further lowers this critical value of 0. Walls and Zoller1 have indicated, without giving the details, that, in a transient regime, the squeezing effect can become twice as large as in the steady state.

Jun 18, 19840 citations

Resonance Fluorescence

Pierre Meystre, Murray Sargent

Springer eBooksJan 1, 19910 citations

Working with a beam of two-level--atom--like

^{174}\mathrm{Yb}

, we have measured the temporal evolution of strong-field resonance fluorescence spectra during square-pulse excitation. In the case of resonant excitation, it is found that driving-field phase shifts transform the normal three-peaked Mollow spectrum into a transient doublet spectrum asymmetric with respect to the atomic transition frequency. This qualitatively new type of spectrum provides fundamental insight into the connection between atomic dynamics and spectra, and results from a nearly perfect polarization of the dressed atom-field states.