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

Active and passive sensing of collective atomic coherence in a superradiant laser

Justin Bohnet, Zilong Chen, Joshua M. Weiner, Kevin C. Cox, James K. Thompson

Published Jul 17, 2013• 26 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We study the nondemolition mapping of collective quantum coherence onto a cavity light field in a superradiant, cold-atom ${}^{87}$Rb Raman laser. We show theoretically that the fundamental precision of the mapping is near the standard quantum limit on phase estimation for a coherent spin state, $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\phi}=1/\sqrt{N}$, where $N$ is the number of atoms. The associated characteristic measurement time scale ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{W}\ensuremath{\propto}1/N$ is collectively enhanced. The nondemolition nature of the measurement is characterized by only 0.5 photon recoils deposited per atom due to optical repumping in a time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{W}$. We experimentally realize conditional Ramsey spectroscopy in our superradiant Raman laser, compare the results to the predicted precision, and study the mapping in the presence of decoherence, far from the steady-state conditions previously considered. Finally, we demonstrate a hybrid mode of operation in which the laser is repeatedly toggled between active and passive sensing.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.88.013826

Related papers

Dynamically controlled superradiant laser for hybrid sensing of collective atomic coherence

Justin Bohnet, Zilong Chen, Joshua M. Weiner +2 more

We implement dynamic control of a superradiant, cold atom $^{87}$Rb Raman laser to realize the equivalent of conditional Ramsey spectroscopy for sensing atomic phase shifts. Our method uses the non-demolition mapping of the collective quantum phase of an ensemble of two-level atoms onto the phase of a detected cavity light field. We show that the fundamental precision of the non-demolition measurement can theoretically approach the standard quantum limit on phase estimation for a coherent spin state, the traditional benchmark for Ramsey spectroscopy. Finally, we propose a hybrid optical lattice clock based on this method that combines continuous and discrete measurements to realize both high precision and accuracy.

arXiv:1208.1710•Aug 8, 2012•1 citation

A Superradiant Laser and Spin Squeezed States: Collective Phenomena in a Rubidium Cavity QED System for Enhancing Precision Measurements

Justin Bohnet

By allowing a large ensemble of laser cooled and trapped 87Rb atoms to interact collectively with an optical cavity, I have explored two phenomena that may prove useful for enhancing precision measurements: superradiant lasing and spin squeezing.\nSuperradiant lasers have been proposed as future ultrastable optical frequency references, with predicted linewidths < 1 millihertz. These lasers operate in an unusual regime of laser physics where collective emission from an atomic ensemble maps the quantum phase stored in the atoms onto the optical cavity field. I will give an overview of my experimental work using a cold-atom, superradiant Raman laser as a model system to confirm a number of the key predictions concerning superradiant lasing, including the possibility of coherent emission with < 1 intracavity photon on average and greatly reduced sensitivity to cavity frequency noise.\nI also present work using cavity-aided, coherence-preserving measurements of the atomic state population to create entanglement between atoms. The entanglement enables more precise estimation of the quantum phase at the heart of nearly all precision measurements and sensors utilizing quantum objects. By utilizing a cycling transition for the quantum non-demolition probe, we have reduced by several orders of magnitude the measurement induced back-action caused by spontaneous Raman transitions. We directly observe, with no background subtraction, a spin squeezed state with sensitivity to measuring a quantum phase enhanced 10.5 times in variance (i.e. 10.2 dB) beyond the standard quantum limit for an unentangled state. This experimental breakthrough demonstrates that quantum-aided sensing techniques can realize large enough enhancements to have a substantial impact on precision measurements and may aid advances in technology as well as searches for new physics.

•Jan 1, 2014•1 citation

Superradiant Raman laser magnetometer

Joshua M. Weiner, Kevin C. Cox, Justin G. Bohnet +2 more

We demonstrate a proof-of-principle magnetometer that relies on the active oscillation of a cold atom Raman laser to continuously map a field-sensitive atomic phase onto the phase of the radiated light. We demonstrate wideband sensitivity during continuous active oscillation, as well as narrowband sensitivity in passive Ramsey-like mode with translation of the narrowband detection in frequency using spin-echo techniques. The sensor operates with a sensitivity of 190 pT/Hz at 1 kHz and effective sensing volume of 2×10−3 mm3. Fundamental quantum limits on the magnetic field sensitivity of an ideal detector are also considered.

arXiv:1210.3663•Applied Physics Letters•Dec 24, 2012•25 citations

Relaxation Oscillations, Stability, and Cavity Feedback in a Superradiant Raman Laser

Justin Bohnet, Zilong Chen, Joshua M. Weiner +2 more

We experimentally study the relaxation oscillations and amplitude stability properties of an optical laser operating deep into the bad-cavity regime using a laser-cooled ^{87}Rb Raman laser. By combining measurements of the laser light field with nondemolition measurements of the atomic populations, we infer the response of the gain medium represented by a collective atomic Bloch vector. The results are qualitatively explained with a simple model. Measurements and theory are extended to include the effect of intermediate repumping states on the closed-loop stability of the oscillator and the role of cavity feedback on stabilizing or enhancing relaxation oscillations. This experimental study of the stability of an optical laser operating deep into the bad-cavity regime will guide future development of superradiant lasers with ultranarrow linewidths.

arXiv:1209.0774•Physical Review Letters•Dec 18, 2012•40 citations

A quasi-continuous superradiant Raman laser with < 1 intracavity photon

Justin Bohnet, Zilong Chen, Joshua M. Weiner +4 more

Steady-state collective emission from ensembles of laser cooled atoms has been proposed as a method for generating sub-millihertz linewidth optical lasers, with potential for broad impacts across science and technology. We have built a model system that tests key predictions for such active oscillators using a Raman laser with laser cooled atoms as the gain medium. The laser operates deep in the bad-cavity, or superradiant, regime of laser physics, where the cavity decay rate is much greater than the atomic coherence decay rate. Specifically, we demonstrate that a system of 106 87Rb atoms trapped in a 1D standing wave optical lattice can spontaneously synchronize and collectively emit a quasi-continuous coherent optical output, even when the intracavity field contains on average < 1 photon.

EPJ Web of Conferences•Jan 1, 2013•5 citations

Sub-Natural Linewidth Superradiant Lasing with Cold $^{88}$Sr Atoms

Sofus L. Kristensen, Eliot A. Bohr, Julian Robinson-Tait +3 more

Superradiant lasers operate in the bad-cavity regime, where the phase coherence is stored in the spin state of an atomic medium rather than in the intracavity electric field. Such lasers use collective effects to sustain lasing and could potentially reach considerably lower linewidths than a conventional laser. Here, we investigate the properties of superradiant lasing in an ensemble of ultracold $^{88}$Sr atoms inside an optical cavity. We extend the superradiant emission on the 7.5 kHz wide $^3P_1$ $\rightarrow$ $^1S_0$ intercombination line to several milliseconds, and observe steady parameters suitable for emulating the performance of a continuous superradiant laser by fine tuning the repumping rates. We reach a lasing linewidth of 820 Hz for 1.1 ms of lasing, nearly an order of magnitude lower than the natural linewidth

arXiv:2302.08977•Feb 17, 2023•0 citations
We study the nondemolition mapping of collective quantum coherence onto a cavity light field in a superradiant, cold-atom 87{}^{87}87Rb Raman laser. We show theoretically that the fundamental precision of the mapping is near the standard quantum limit on phase estimation for a coherent spin state, \ensuremathΔ\ensuremathϕ=1/N\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\phi}=1/\sqrt{N}\ensuremathΔ\ensuremathϕ=1/N​, where NNN is the number of atoms. The associated characteristic measurement time scale \ensuremathτW\ensuremath∝1/N{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{W}\ensuremath{\propto}1/N\ensuremathτW​\ensuremath∝1/N is collectively enhanced. The nondemolition nature of the measurement is characterized by only 0.5 photon recoils deposited per atom due to optical repumping in a time \ensuremathτW{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{W}\ensuremathτW​. We experimentally realize conditional Ramsey spectroscopy in our superradiant Raman laser, compare the results to the predicted precision, and study the mapping in the presence of decoherence, far from the steady-state conditions previously considered. Finally, we demonstrate a hybrid mode of operation in which the laser is repeatedly toggled between active and passive sensing.
We implement dynamic control of a superradiant, cold atom 87^{87}87Rb Raman laser to realize the equivalent of conditional Ramsey spectroscopy for sensing atomic phase shifts. Our method uses the non-demolition mapping of the collective quantum phase of an ensemble of two-level atoms onto the phase of a detected cavity light field. We show that the fundamental precision of the non-demolition measurement can theoretically approach the standard quantum limit on phase estimation for a coherent spin state, the traditional benchmark for Ramsey spectroscopy. Finally, we propose a hybrid optical lattice clock based on this method that combines continuous and discrete measurements to realize both high precision and accuracy.
By allowing a large ensemble of laser cooled and trapped 87Rb atoms to interact collectively with an optical cavity, I have explored two phenomena that may prove useful for enhancing precision measurements: superradiant lasing and spin squeezing.\nSuperradiant lasers have been proposed as future ultrastable optical frequency references, with predicted linewidths < 1 millihertz. These lasers operate in an unusual regime of laser physics where collective emission from an atomic ensemble maps the quantum phase stored in the atoms onto the optical cavity field. I will give an overview of my experimental work using a cold-atom, superradiant Raman laser as a model system to confirm a number of the key predictions concerning superradiant lasing, including the possibility of coherent emission with < 1 intracavity photon on average and greatly reduced sensitivity to cavity frequency noise.\nI also present work using cavity-aided, coherence-preserving measurements of the atomic state population to create entanglement between atoms. The entanglement enables more precise estimation of the quantum phase at the heart of nearly all precision measurements and sensors utilizing quantum objects. By utilizing a cycling transition for the quantum non-demolition probe, we have reduced by several orders of magnitude the measurement induced back-action caused by spontaneous Raman transitions. We directly observe, with no background subtraction, a spin squeezed state with sensitivity to measuring a quantum phase enhanced 10.5 times in variance (i.e. 10.2 dB) beyond the standard quantum limit for an unentangled state. This experimental breakthrough demonstrates that quantum-aided sensing techniques can realize large enough enhancements to have a substantial impact on precision measurements and may aid advances in technology as well as searches for new physics.
We demonstrate a proof-of-principle magnetometer that relies on the active oscillation of a cold atom Raman laser to continuously map a field-sensitive atomic phase onto the phase of the radiated light. We demonstrate wideband sensitivity during continuous active oscillation, as well as narrowband sensitivity in passive Ramsey-like mode with translation of the narrowband detection in frequency using spin-echo techniques. The sensor operates with a sensitivity of 190 pT/Hz at 1 kHz and effective sensing volume of 2×10−3 mm3. Fundamental quantum limits on the magnetic field sensitivity of an ideal detector are also considered.
We experimentally study the relaxation oscillations and amplitude stability properties of an optical laser operating deep into the bad-cavity regime using a laser-cooled ^{87}Rb Raman laser. By combining measurements of the laser light field with nondemolition measurements of the atomic populations, we infer the response of the gain medium represented by a collective atomic Bloch vector. The results are qualitatively explained with a simple model. Measurements and theory are extended to include the effect of intermediate repumping states on the closed-loop stability of the oscillator and the role of cavity feedback on stabilizing or enhancing relaxation oscillations. This experimental study of the stability of an optical laser operating deep into the bad-cavity regime will guide future development of superradiant lasers with ultranarrow linewidths.
Steady-state collective emission from ensembles of laser cooled atoms has been proposed as a method for generating sub-millihertz linewidth optical lasers, with potential for broad impacts across science and technology. We have built a model system that tests key predictions for such active oscillators using a Raman laser with laser cooled atoms as the gain medium. The laser operates deep in the bad-cavity, or superradiant, regime of laser physics, where the cavity decay rate is much greater than the atomic coherence decay rate. Specifically, we demonstrate that a system of 106 87Rb atoms trapped in a 1D standing wave optical lattice can spontaneously synchronize and collectively emit a quasi-continuous coherent optical output, even when the intracavity field contains on average < 1 photon.
Sub-Natural Linewidth Superradiant Lasing with Cold 88^{88}88Sr Atoms
Superradiant lasers operate in the bad-cavity regime, where the phase coherence is stored in the spin state of an atomic medium rather than in the intracavity electric field. Such lasers use collective effects to sustain lasing and could potentially reach considerably lower linewidths than a conventional laser. Here, we investigate the properties of superradiant lasing in an ensemble of ultracold 88^{88}88Sr atoms inside an optical cavity. We extend the superradiant emission on the 7.5 kHz wide 3P1^3P_13P1​ →\rightarrow→ 1S0^1S_01S0​ intercombination line to several milliseconds, and observe steady parameters suitable for emulating the performance of a continuous superradiant laser by fine tuning the repumping rates. We reach a lasing linewidth of 820 Hz for 1.1 ms of lasing, nearly an order of magnitude lower than the natural linewidth