Chinese Physics Letters
Observation of Quantum Beat in Rb by Parametric Four-Wave Mixing
Zhu Chang-jun, Junfang He, Xue Bing, Zhai Xue-jun
Abstract
Two coupled parametric four-wave-mixing processes in Rb atoms are studied using perturbation theory, which reveals clear evidence of the appearance of quantum beat at 608 cm −1 , corresponding to the energy difference of the 7 s −5 d states of Rb atoms, in the parametric four-wave-mixing signals. A pump–probe technique is utilized to observe the quantum beat. Time-varying characteristics of the quantum beat are investigated using time-dependent Fourier transform. The results show that the time-varying characteristics of the quantum beat not only offers a sensitive detecting method for observing the decay of atomic wave packets, but also provides a potential tool for monitoring the dissociation of molecules.