Measurements of optical rotary-echo decay of the ${R}_{1}$ (-1/2),\ensuremath{\sigma} transition of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ in dilute ruby at 2 K are described and compared with predictions of two recent modifications (Gauss-Markov and random-telegraph models) of the optical Bloch equations (OBE's). While the modified OBE approximately describes the free-induction decay behavior both in ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$ : ${\mathrm{LaF}}_{3}$ and ruby, we show that rotary-echo decay in ruby is instead described by the standard OBE. Various aspects of the spin flip-flop model used in the theories are discussed in regard to ruby, as well as other possible dephasing contributions.Measurements of optical rotary-echo decay of the ${R}_{1}$(-1/2),\ensuremath{\sigma} transition of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ in dilute ruby at 2 K are described and compared with predictions of two recent modifications (Gauss-Markov and random-telegraph models) of the optical Bloch equations (OBE's). While the modified OBE approximately describes the free-induction decay behavior both in ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$:${\mathrm{LaF}}_{3}$ and ruby, we show that rotary-echo decay in ruby is instead described by the standard OBE. Various aspects of the spin flip-flop model used in the theories are discussed in regard to ruby, as well as other possible dephasing contributions.

Physical Review ADec 1, 198819 citations

Optical Bloch Equations

Galina A. Nemova

SPIE eBooksMar 23, 20220 citations

Generalization of the Optical Bloch Equation and its Consequences

Motoomi Yamanoi

Jan 1, 19860 citations

Optical Bloch equations: Informal motivation without the Schrödinger equation

James M. Supplee

We briefly review the classical model of a Lorentz atom interacting with an optical field. We then ask how the equations describing the atom’s behavior should be modified to include atomic energy level quantization. Simply discussing what modifications make sense provides a strong plausibility argument for the optical Bloch equations. Contrasted with the standard derivation, this argument is less rigorous but has a certain pedagogical appeal: It simply assumes two atomic states with energy difference ℏω, rather than invoking the Schrödinger equation. Also, because our goal is more-or-less to guess the correct equations with minimal formalism, this discussion focuses on the physical meaning of the Bloch equations.We briefly review the classical model of a Lorentz atom interacting with an optical field. We then ask how the equations describing the atom’s behavior should be modified to include atomic energy level quantization. Simply discussing what modifications make sense provides a strong plausibility argument for the optical Bloch equations. Contrasted with the standard derivation, this argument is less rigorous but has a certain pedagogical appeal: It simply assumes two atomic states with energy difference ℏω, rather than invoking the Schrödinger equation. Also, because our goal is more-or-less to guess the correct equations with minimal formalism, this discussion focuses on the physical meaning of the Bloch equations.

American Journal of PhysicsFeb 1, 20003 citations

Optical Bloch Equations

Ingolf Volker Hertel, Claus-Peter Schulz

Graduate texts in physicsOct 22, 20142 citations

Coherent suppression of the EPR-nutation signal in quartz

V. S. Kuz’min

Bloch equations are used to derive an analytic expression for the integral nutation-signal decay rate in a two-level quantum system. It is found that when inhomogeneous line broadening is taken into account, the temporal decay of the response is due not only to coherent suppression but also to additional decay whose rate depends on the ratio of the Rabi frequency to the inhomogeneous linewidth. The results are used to explain the anomalous (Rabi-frequency-dependent) EPR-nutation decay detected in quartz in the experiments of R. Boscaino, F. M. Gelardi, and J. P. Corb [Phys. Rev. B 48 , 7077 (1993)]. Contrary to the statement made by these researchers that this decay is non-Bloch, it is found that the process can be described by Bloch equations without any modification.Bloch equations are used to derive an analytic expression for the integral nutation-signal decay rate in a two-level quantum system. It is found that when inhomogeneous line broadening is taken into account, the temporal decay of the response is due not only to coherent suppression but also to additional decay whose rate depends on the ratio of the Rabi frequency to the inhomogeneous linewidth. The results are used to explain the anomalous (Rabi-frequency-dependent) EPR-nutation decay detected in quartz in the experiments of R. Boscaino, F. M. Gelardi, and J. P. Corb [Phys. Rev. B 48 , 7077 (1993)]. Contrary to the statement made by these researchers that this decay is non-Bloch, it is found that the process can be described by Bloch equations without any modification.

Journal of Experimental and Theoretical PhysicsAug 1, 19980 citations

Measurements of optical rotary-echo decay of the

{R}_{1}

(-1/2),\ensuremath{\sigma} transition of

{\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}

in dilute ruby at 2 K are described and compared with predictions of two recent modifications (Gauss-Markov and random-telegraph models) of the optical Bloch equations (OBE's). While the modified OBE approximately describes the free-induction decay behavior both in

{\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}

{\mathrm{LaF}}_{3}

and ruby, we show that rotary-echo decay in ruby is instead described by the standard OBE. Various aspects of the spin flip-flop model used in the theories are discussed in regard to ruby, as well as other possible dephasing contributions.