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Frontiers in Optics

Controlling Collective Quantum Dynamics with Strong Laser Fields

Mihai Macovei, Jörg Evers, Christoph H. Keitel

Published Jan 1, 2004• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The control of quantum properties of driven collections of dipole interacting three-level atoms is investigated. Various parameters that allow for a rapid coherent control of collective population dynamics along with the feasibility of transferring these systems at will into subradiant or superradiant ensembles are presented.
DOI
10.1364/fio.2004.fmo6

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We investigate control schemes for the dynamics of a collection of dipole-interacting three-level atoms in V\mathrm{V}V- or $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$- configuration. For this, we discuss the strong-field steady-state behavior of these systems under the influence of external parameters such as the relative phase between the two applied strong driving laser fields, the ratio of spontaneous decay and incoherent pumping rates, the splitting frequency between closely spaced atomic states, or a surrounding thermal bath. We show that these may act as convenient tools to sensitively control the collective dynamics of the atoms. As applications, we analyze the fluorescence and absorption properties of the atomic samples. Finally, we discuss the transient behavior to show that the presented schemes feature a rapid system evolution as required for many applications.
The manipulation of the steady-state behavior of a collection of dipole-interacting three-level atoms in a V or Lambda configuration is investigated as a function of the relative phase of two strong coherent driving fields. For larger samples, the phase is shown to be a convenient parameter to rapidly populate or depopulate completely a trapping state of the ensemble. As applications, we present the appropriately prepared atomic sample as an optical switching device and show its virtues in controlling the collective steady-state resonance fluorescence intensity.
The collective spontaneous emission of a pair of two coupled three-level radiators in vacuum is investigated in the presence of a possibly intense laser field. The parameters describing the collective interaction along with the population and decay rates of all involved dressed states are shown to be controllable by the applied laser field. In particular, all populations of the collective system may be transferred at will in a reversible way into a subradiant state, allowing effective storage and manipulation of the quantum system.
We compare the results of two strong field coherent control experiments: one which optimizes multi-photon population transfer in atomic sodium (from the 3s to the 4s state, measured by spontaneous emission from the 3p-3s transition) with one that optimizes stimulated emission on the 3p-3s transition in an ensemble of sodium atoms. Both experiments make use of intense, shaped ultrafast laser pulses discovered by a Genetic Algorithm inside a learning control loop. Optimization leads to improvements in the spontaneous and stimulated emission yields of about 444 and 104{10}^{4}104, respectively, over an unshaped pulse. We interpret these results by modeling both the single atom dynamics as well as the stimulated emission buildup through numerical integration of Schr\"odinger's and Maxwell's equations. Our interpretation leads to the conclusion that modest yields for controlling single quantum systems can lead to dramatic effects whenever an ensemble of such systems acts collectively following controlled impulsive excitation.
Recent work has shown that collective single photon emission from an ensemble of resonate two-level atoms, i.e., single photon superradiance, is a rich field of study. The present Letter addresses the flip side of superradiance, i.e., subradiance. Single photon subradiant states are potentially stable against collective spontaneous emission and can have ultrafast readout. In particular it is shown how many atom collective effects provide a new way to control spontaneous emission by preparing and switching between subradiant and superradiant states.
Dipole-dipole interactions are at the origin of long-lived collective atomic states, often called subradiant, which are explored for their potential use in novel photonic devices or in quantum protocols. Here, we study subradiance beyond the single-excitation regime and experimentally demonstrate a 200-fold increase in the population of these modes, as the saturation parameter of the driving field is increased. We attribute this enhancement to a mechanism similar to optical pumping through the well-coupled superradiant states. The lifetimes are unaffected by the pump strength, as the system is ultimately driven toward the single-excitation sector. Our study is a new step in the exploration of the many-body dynamics of large open systems.