Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review A

Wave-packet isotope separation using phase-locked pulses

Jan R. R. Verlet, Vasilios G. Stavros, Helen H. Fielding

Published Feb 12, 2002• 25 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We introduce a general wave-packet isotope-separation scheme exploiting the optical Ramsey method. Optically excited molecular wave packets in different isotopes develop a well-defined phase difference after just a few vibrational periods. Phase-locked pairs of optical pulses are able to selectively pump one isotope back down to the ground state and enhance the excited-state population of the other isotope. The method is illustrated by simulating wave-packet isotope separation of a mixture of ${}^{79}{\mathrm{Br}}_{2},$ ${}^{81}{\mathrm{Br}}_{2},$ and ${}^{79}{\mathrm{Br}}^{81}\mathrm{Br}.$ We also exploit phase-locked pairs of optical pulses to reduce the time required for the spatial separation of wave packets.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.65.032504

Related papers

Coherent control of electronic and vibrational wave packets using phase-locked optical pulses

Elizabeth Durrell Boleat

Experimental and theoretical work is presented on the control of wave packet dynamics in atomic and molecular systems. Using sequences of phase-locked optical pulses, the link between optical phase and quantum mechanical phase is explored in the Na atom and Naj dimer, representing a step towards the logical engineering of quantum states in more complicated systems. A novel apparatus, constructed to study and control the vibrational dynamics of vibrational wave packets on the Na ionic potential surface, is described in chapter 3. Theoretical simulations for proposed experiment are presented in chapter 4. Control is achieved by exploiting the phase-evolution of the constituent vibrational quantum states within the wave packet superposition. The phase relationship and the accumulated phase difference between the various components of the wave packet is determined, and a sequence of phase-locked optical pulses is employed to selectively enhance or depopulate specific vibrational states, or sets of vibrational states. The quantum state composition of the resulting wave packet, and the efficiency of the control scheme, is determined by calculating the multi-pulse response of the time-dependent vibrational state populations. In chapter 5, the quantum interference between Rydberg electron wave packets in the Na atom is investigated using pairs of phase-locked wave packets, allowing manipulation of the total orbital angular momentum of Na Rydberg atoms. Initially the wave packet is composed of a superposition of s and d Rydberg series. Exploitation of the difference between the quantum defects of the two series allows specific angular momentum compositions within the resultant wave packet to be engineered. Experimentally, this final quantum state distribution is analysed in the frequency domain using state selective field ionisation, and in the time domain using the optical Ramsey method. The theoretical calculations show how the phase difference between pairs of optical pulses is linked to the corresponding Rydberg frequency spectrum, therefore enabling the control of the quantum state composition of the wave packets.

•Jan 1, 2005•0 citations

Wave Packet Isotope Separation

Ilya Sh. Averbukh, Marc J. J. Vrakking, David M. Villeneuve +1 more

We introduce and demonstrate a general wave packet method for laser isotope separation. In this scheme, laser excited molecular (or atomic) wave packets of differing isotopes become spatially separated in the course of their long-time free evolution. In order to overcome the quantum spreading of wave packets, we make use of the phenomenon of revivals. We demonstrate experimentally, with mixed ${}^{79}$B${\mathrm{r}}_{2}$${\mathrm{/}}^{81}$B${\mathrm{r}}_{2}$ isotopes, that significant control over the isotope ratio can be achieved in a single shot.

Physical Review Letters•Oct 21, 1996•130 citations

Optical Control of the Rotational Angular Momentum of a Molecular Rydberg Wave Packet

Russell S. Minns, R. Patel, Jan R. R. Verlet +1 more

An intuitive scheme for controlling the rotational quantum state of a Rydberg molecule is demonstrated experimentally. We determine the accumulated phase difference between the various components of a molecular electron wave packet, and then employ a sequence of phase-locked optical pulses to selectively enhance or depopulate specific rotational states. The angular momentum composition of the resulting wave packet, and the efficiency of the control scheme, is determined by calculating the multipulse response of the time-dependent Rydberg populations.

Physical Review Letters•Dec 10, 2003•30 citations

Method of laser isotope separation using adiabatic inversion

G. L. PETERSON, Cyrus D. Cantrell

We propose a method of laser isotope separation based on the phenomenon of adiabatic inversion and illustrate the method in a multilevel system consisting of a single ground state and multiplet excited states. In this model, population may be transferred from the ground state to one of the excited manifolds with nearly 100% efficiency by using laser pulses, the envelope of which rises slowly and then decays rapidly on an internal time scale that can be precisely calculated. Adiabatic inversion in this model is strongly dependent on the laser frequency, thus permitting separation of isotopes by faking advantage of small shifts in molecular or atomic energy level spacings. The criterion that determines whether a laser pulse is adiabatic also depends strongly on the laser frequency and thereby enhances the separation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the method with a solution of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation for a specific model of two isotopes.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 1985•0 citations

Efficient selective optical excitation for isotope separation, using short laser pulses

Jean‐Claude Diels

Propagation of short ($\ensuremath{\lesssim}{T}_{2}$, where ${T}_{2}$ is the phase relaxation time) light pulses through absorbing media consisting of two ensembles of two-level systems of slightly different transition frequency is considered here. It is shown that one group of absorbers can be totally excited (inverted) while the other is returned to ground state. The effect of inhomogeneous broadening is illustrated by examples of propagation (numerical simulation) of properly shaped pulses through media having a linewidth equal to 1/5 of the frequency separation between the two transitions. The initial proportion of the two-level mixture is: 5% of the element to be excited, 95% of the element to be kept in ground state. The selective excitation capabilities of a Gaussian pulse and a zero-area pulse are compared.

Physical Review A•Apr 1, 1976•21 citations

Interfering Rydberg wave packets in Na

Robert Carley, Elizabeth Durrell Boleat, Russell S. Minns +2 more

This paper presents an experimental and theoretical analysis of quantum interference between Rydberg wave packets in Na. Pairs of phase-locked wave packets manipulate the total orbital angular momentum of Na Rydberg atoms. Initially, the wave packet is composed of a superposition of s and d Rydberg series. Exploitation of the difference between the quantum defects of the two series allows one to predict the phase of the second wave packet required to engineer specific angular momentum compositions within the resultant wave packet. Experimentally, this final quantum state distribution is analysed in the frequency domain using state-selective field ionization and in the time domain using the optical Ramsey method. The theoretical calculations show how the phase difference between pairs of optical pulses is linked to the corresponding Rydberg frequency spectrum, therefore enabling the control of the quantum state composition of the wave packets. Finally, it is shown that by intuitively chirping one of the laser pulses it is possible to compensate for the dispersion of the wave packet and improve the effectiveness of the angular momentum control.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Jun 6, 2005•25 citations
We introduce a general wave-packet isotope-separation scheme exploiting the optical Ramsey method. Optically excited molecular wave packets in different isotopes develop a well-defined phase difference after just a few vibrational periods. Phase-locked pairs of optical pulses are able to selectively pump one isotope back down to the ground state and enhance the excited-state population of the other isotope. The method is illustrated by simulating wave-packet isotope separation of a mixture of 79Br2,{}^{79}{\mathrm{Br}}_{2},79Br2​, 81Br2,{}^{81}{\mathrm{Br}}_{2},81Br2​, and 79Br81Br.{}^{79}{\mathrm{Br}}^{81}\mathrm{Br}.79Br81Br. We also exploit phase-locked pairs of optical pulses to reduce the time required for the spatial separation of wave packets.
Experimental and theoretical work is presented on the control of wave packet dynamics in atomic and molecular systems. Using sequences of phase-locked optical pulses, the link between optical phase and quantum mechanical phase is explored in the Na atom and Naj dimer, representing a step towards the logical engineering of quantum states in more complicated systems. A novel apparatus, constructed to study and control the vibrational dynamics of vibrational wave packets on the Na ionic potential surface, is described in chapter 3. Theoretical simulations for proposed experiment are presented in chapter 4. Control is achieved by exploiting the phase-evolution of the constituent vibrational quantum states within the wave packet superposition. The phase relationship and the accumulated phase difference between the various components of the wave packet is determined, and a sequence of phase-locked optical pulses is employed to selectively enhance or depopulate specific vibrational states, or sets of vibrational states. The quantum state composition of the resulting wave packet, and the efficiency of the control scheme, is determined by calculating the multi-pulse response of the time-dependent vibrational state populations. In chapter 5, the quantum interference between Rydberg electron wave packets in the Na atom is investigated using pairs of phase-locked wave packets, allowing manipulation of the total orbital angular momentum of Na Rydberg atoms. Initially the wave packet is composed of a superposition of s and d Rydberg series. Exploitation of the difference between the quantum defects of the two series allows specific angular momentum compositions within the resultant wave packet to be engineered. Experimentally, this final quantum state distribution is analysed in the frequency domain using state selective field ionisation, and in the time domain using the optical Ramsey method. The theoretical calculations show how the phase difference between pairs of optical pulses is linked to the corresponding Rydberg frequency spectrum, therefore enabling the control of the quantum state composition of the wave packets.
We introduce and demonstrate a general wave packet method for laser isotope separation. In this scheme, laser excited molecular (or atomic) wave packets of differing isotopes become spatially separated in the course of their long-time free evolution. In order to overcome the quantum spreading of wave packets, we make use of the phenomenon of revivals. We demonstrate experimentally, with mixed 79{}^{79}79Br2{\mathrm{r}}_{2}r2​/81{\mathrm{/}}^{81}/81Br2{\mathrm{r}}_{2}r2​ isotopes, that significant control over the isotope ratio can be achieved in a single shot.
An intuitive scheme for controlling the rotational quantum state of a Rydberg molecule is demonstrated experimentally. We determine the accumulated phase difference between the various components of a molecular electron wave packet, and then employ a sequence of phase-locked optical pulses to selectively enhance or depopulate specific rotational states. The angular momentum composition of the resulting wave packet, and the efficiency of the control scheme, is determined by calculating the multipulse response of the time-dependent Rydberg populations.
We propose a method of laser isotope separation based on the phenomenon of adiabatic inversion and illustrate the method in a multilevel system consisting of a single ground state and multiplet excited states. In this model, population may be transferred from the ground state to one of the excited manifolds with nearly 100% efficiency by using laser pulses, the envelope of which rises slowly and then decays rapidly on an internal time scale that can be precisely calculated. Adiabatic inversion in this model is strongly dependent on the laser frequency, thus permitting separation of isotopes by faking advantage of small shifts in molecular or atomic energy level spacings. The criterion that determines whether a laser pulse is adiabatic also depends strongly on the laser frequency and thereby enhances the separation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the method with a solution of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation for a specific model of two isotopes.
Propagation of short ($\ensuremath{\lesssim}{T}_{2}$, where T2{T}_{2}T2​ is the phase relaxation time) light pulses through absorbing media consisting of two ensembles of two-level systems of slightly different transition frequency is considered here. It is shown that one group of absorbers can be totally excited (inverted) while the other is returned to ground state. The effect of inhomogeneous broadening is illustrated by examples of propagation (numerical simulation) of properly shaped pulses through media having a linewidth equal to 1/5 of the frequency separation between the two transitions. The initial proportion of the two-level mixture is: 5% of the element to be excited, 95% of the element to be kept in ground state. The selective excitation capabilities of a Gaussian pulse and a zero-area pulse are compared.
This paper presents an experimental and theoretical analysis of quantum interference between Rydberg wave packets in Na. Pairs of phase-locked wave packets manipulate the total orbital angular momentum of Na Rydberg atoms. Initially, the wave packet is composed of a superposition of s and d Rydberg series. Exploitation of the difference between the quantum defects of the two series allows one to predict the phase of the second wave packet required to engineer specific angular momentum compositions within the resultant wave packet. Experimentally, this final quantum state distribution is analysed in the frequency domain using state-selective field ionization and in the time domain using the optical Ramsey method. The theoretical calculations show how the phase difference between pairs of optical pulses is linked to the corresponding Rydberg frequency spectrum, therefore enabling the control of the quantum state composition of the wave packets. Finally, it is shown that by intuitively chirping one of the laser pulses it is possible to compensate for the dispersion of the wave packet and improve the effectiveness of the angular momentum control.