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Physical Review A

Nonperturbative theory of the resonant interaction of atoms with laser fields

Albert M. F. Lau

Published Jul 1, 1976• 55 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A nonperturbative analysis is given for an $n$-level atom or molecule dressed by a Stark field and in single-photon or multiphoton (near) resonant interaction with coherent optical field modes, which may be intense. All the field amplitudes and phases may have nonadiabatic time variation. New formulas for probability amplitudes of states with finite lifetimes are given for atom-field levels swept or optical Stark shifted through resonance or into close approach. One of these includes the Landau-Zener formula as a special case. Power broadening is contained in these formulas. They are useful for both weak- and strong-field interaction. Further, it is shown that many familiar single-photon coherent transient phenomena have their analogs in the intense-field and the multiphoton domains. Two new effects, pulse-shape dependence in final transition probability and population inversion due to the nonadiabatic passage of an asymmetric pulse, are demonstrated with numerical results for the process $\mathrm{Na}(3s)+2\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Na}(5s)$. Finally, double resonance (single-photon and/or multiphoton) is analyzed, with discussion of adiabatic following and a derivation of a formula for level crossing. Generalization of an earlier procedure for solving the adiabatic eigenvalue problem of the whole atom-field system is given.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.14.279

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The quantum nonperturbative analysis of Kroll and Watson for a two-level system of near-adiabatic atom-atom scattering in an intense laser-field mode is extended to treat a general multilevel system interacting with intense single- or many-field modes. A procedure for rigorously solving the adiabatic eigenvalue problem for the whole charge-field system is given. A new transition-probability formula is derived. Cross sections are calculated for the processes $\mathrm{Li}+\mathrm{H}(X^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+})+\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Li}+\mathrm{H}(A^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+} or B^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi})$ where $\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\ge}1$. Analysis of transition in an atom due to intensity variation of a laser pulse shows that desired transition probability per pulse (e.g., \textonehalf{}) may be achieved by varying the pulse parameters. For this, numerical results of $\mathrm{Na}(3s)+2\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Na}(5s)$ and of $\mathrm{Li}(2s)+8\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Li}(3s)$ are given.

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The resonant multiphoton resonances shifts and widths and ionization cross-sections for multielectron atoms in a intense laser radiation field are studied. It is carried out a new consistent approach to atom in a strong realistic laser field, based on the relativistic energy formalism (S-matrix adiabatic formalism), relativistic Dirac equation Green function method and relativistic many-body perturbation theory with the Dirac-Kohn-Sham zeroth approximation. In relativistic theory, the Gell-Mann and Low adiabatic formula for energy shift is connected with electrodynamical scattering matrice, which includes interaction with as a laser field as a photon vacuum field (radiative decay). The optimized basis of the relativistic orbitals is generated with using a minimization procedure for the gauge-non-invariant contribution (the fourth-order of the QED perturbation theory) to the radiation width of atomic state. An approach to treating the multiphoton atomic processes is outlined on example of H, Cs, Kr,Mg etc. Analysis shows that the shift and width of the multi-photon resonance line for the interaction “atom- multimode laser pulse” is greater than the corresponding shift and width for a case of the “atom- single-mode pulse” (the Lorenz pulse model) interaction. From the physical point of view it is naturally provided by action of the photon-correlation effects and influence of the laser pulse multi-modity.

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Coherent two-photon processes: Transient and steady-state cases

Richard G. Brewer, Erwin Louis Hahn

A class of molecular two-photon processes, occurring under transient or steady-state conditions, is analyzed exactly for certain cases using a density-matrix formalism. Our results are relevant to the recently observed phenomena of transient coherent Raman beats and steady-state two-photon absorption of oppositely directed laser beams. Lowest-order perturbation theories have shown that these processes are insensitive to the Doppler effect, and consequently the linewidth is unaffected by Doppler broadening and by elastic collisions that change molecular velocity. The solutions presented here are of the same form for the Raman and two-photon problems and reveal significant power-dependent frequency shifts and line broadening that correct the ideal Doppler-free solutions. For the transient case, we assume a molecular three-level quantum structure that can be switched in or out of optical resonance with cw laser radiation by means of a pulsed dc Stark field, but the solutions also apply when resonant optical pulses are introduced. During the resonant condition when the Stark pulse is on, the three levels are prepared in coherent superposition, and during the nonresonant condition following the Stark pulse, the laser field(s) stimulates the coherently prepared sample in a transient two-photon process. One of these processes, the Ramanbeat effect, has been observed in forward scattering, but the second one, transient two-photon emission, should be observable in backward scattering. Bloch-like equations are derived for this three-level problem that facilitate an exact pulse solution for state preparation. Following the pulse, transient decay is well-approximated by a perturbation calculation. For the steady-state case, an exact solution is also obtained and is of interest for continuous-wave spectroscopy or for transient experiments requiring an initial preparation of quantum states, prior to Stark switching. These solutions exhibit a power-dependent line broadening and a frequency shift of magnitude $\ensuremath{\sim}\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}({\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\beta}}^{2})}{({\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{2}+\frac{1}{{T}_{2}^{2}})}$, in agreement with our earlier estimate, where $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and $\ensuremath{\beta}$ are the Rabi flopping frequencies for the two intermediate transitions and $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is the off-resonance tuning behavior for one of them.

Physical Review A•May 1, 1975•341 citations
A nonperturbative analysis is given for an nnn-level atom or molecule dressed by a Stark field and in single-photon or multiphoton (near) resonant interaction with coherent optical field modes, which may be intense. All the field amplitudes and phases may have nonadiabatic time variation. New formulas for probability amplitudes of states with finite lifetimes are given for atom-field levels swept or optical Stark shifted through resonance or into close approach. One of these includes the Landau-Zener formula as a special case. Power broadening is contained in these formulas. They are useful for both weak- and strong-field interaction. Further, it is shown that many familiar single-photon coherent transient phenomena have their analogs in the intense-field and the multiphoton domains. Two new effects, pulse-shape dependence in final transition probability and population inversion due to the nonadiabatic passage of an asymmetric pulse, are demonstrated with numerical results for the process Na(3s)+2\ensuremathℏ\ensuremathω\ensuremath→Na(5s)\mathrm{Na}(3s)+2\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Na}(5s)Na(3s)+2\ensuremathℏ\ensuremathω\ensuremath→Na(5s). Finally, double resonance (single-photon and/or multiphoton) is analyzed, with discussion of adiabatic following and a derivation of a formula for level crossing. Generalization of an earlier procedure for solving the adiabatic eigenvalue problem of the whole atom-field system is given.
The quantum nonperturbative analysis of Kroll and Watson for a two-level system of near-adiabatic atom-atom scattering in an intense laser-field mode is extended to treat a general multilevel system interacting with intense single- or many-field modes. A procedure for rigorously solving the adiabatic eigenvalue problem for the whole charge-field system is given. A new transition-probability formula is derived. Cross sections are calculated for the processes $\mathrm{Li}+\mathrm{H}(X^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+})+\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Li}+\mathrm{H}(A^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+} or B^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi})$ where $\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\ge}1$. Analysis of transition in an atom due to intensity variation of a laser pulse shows that desired transition probability per pulse (e.g., \textonehalf{}) may be achieved by varying the pulse parameters. For this, numerical results of $\mathrm{Na}(3s)+2\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Na}(5s)$ and of $\mathrm{Li}(2s)+8\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Li}(3s)$ are given.
The presence of coherent radiation fields can modify various atomic, ionic, and molecular processes. We examine cases where the changes can be effected without actual absorption or emission of photons. The radiation fields cause optical Stark shifts of the energies and dress the nonadiabatic couplings between states. Rates of processes such as dissociation, predissociation, atomic and molecular collisions can be radiatively controlled. Formation of new avoided crossings due to radiative interaction gives rise to new phenomena. We give both exact numerical results from which the influences of the radiation field on arbitrary configurations can be calculated, and simple but accurate analytic results, from which these effects can be conveniently assessed. It is shown that the inelastic transition probability is decreased at a true crossing and is increased at an avoided crossing as a result of the presence of the nonresonant radiation field. Furthermore, for two parallel levels with constant nonadiabatic coupling, it is shown that the amplitudes of the nonadiabatic transition are invariant, but its flopping frequency is reduced by the field. Depending on final measurements with the field on or off, general behaviors of the inelastic transition probability as a function of the field parameters and the charge-system parameters are predicted and the possibility of inversion (from a field-free value of less than \textonehalf{} to a value greater than \textonehalf{}) is demonstrated. Experimental investigation with iodine molecules is suggested. Comparison of our nonperturbative results with those of stationary perturbation theory shows that the latter is inadequate in an important parameter region where the field modification of processes is greater than 1%.
The resonant multiphoton resonances shifts and widths and ionization cross-sections for multielectron atoms in a intense laser radiation field are studied. It is carried out a new consistent approach to atom in a strong realistic laser field, based on the relativistic energy formalism (S-matrix adiabatic formalism), relativistic Dirac equation Green function method and relativistic many-body perturbation theory with the Dirac-Kohn-Sham zeroth approximation. In relativistic theory, the Gell-Mann and Low adiabatic formula for energy shift is connected with electrodynamical scattering matrice, which includes interaction with as a laser field as a photon vacuum field (radiative decay). The optimized basis of the relativistic orbitals is generated with using a minimization procedure for the gauge-non-invariant contribution (the fourth-order of the QED perturbation theory) to the radiation width of atomic state. An approach to treating the multiphoton atomic processes is outlined on example of H, Cs, Kr,Mg etc. Analysis shows that the shift and width of the multi-photon resonance line for the interaction “atom- multimode laser pulse” is greater than the corresponding shift and width for a case of the “atom- single-mode pulse” (the Lorenz pulse model) interaction. From the physical point of view it is naturally provided by action of the photon-correlation effects and influence of the laser pulse multi-modity.
Abstract Double resonance, resonance Raman and resonance fluorescence are discussed in terms of a superposition of adiabatic states. The adiabatic states are the instantaneous eigenstates of a two‐level Hamiltonian which includes the interaction with a near‐resonant coherent pulse and which has been transformed by a unitary transformation so that its only time‐dependence is that of the field envelope of the pulse. Resonance Raman results from spontaneous transitions to a third, lower state from the adiabatic following state which reduces to the initial (lower) state of the two‐level system in the absence of radiation. Resonance fluorescence is produced by spontaneous transition to the lower third state from the upper adiabatic state which reduces to the upper state of the two‐level system in the absence of radiation. Differential equations allowing the calculation of the probability amplitudes of the adiabatic states are given and a method of solving these equations by successive approximation is proposed. Saturation effects such as dynamic Stark shift and splitting (Autler—Townes effect) and optical nutation are interpreted in terms of perturbation of adiabatic energy levels and interference effects between adiabatic states. The possibility of observing optical nutation in a two‐level system by using time‐resolved double resonance experiments is suggested. Decay of the states of the two‐level system is taken into account leading to extended adiabaticity conditions which show that adiabatic following becomes possible even at resonance. For weak fields it is shown that adiabatic following at resonance can produce light scattering narrower than the linewidth as predicted by Heitler. The adiabatic states theory has also been extended to near‐resonance multiphoton interaction for systems that can be described by an effective two‐level Hamiltonian.
Density-matrix formalism is applied to construct a model for third- and fifth-harmonic generation in a four-photon resonant medium. The transition rates and coherent superposition of states associated with the resonant levels are treated rigorously, while the adiabatic following approximation is used to calculate the contribution of all nonresonant levels to the interaction. Expressions for the quadratic and quartic Stark shift and multiphoton ionization emerge naturally from the theory. At the power level required for appreciable four-photon absorption, the intensity-dependent Stark shift and ionization become overwhelming and limit the efficiency of harmonic generation. Because of the Stark shift, an intense pulse suffers a ``self-detuning'' effect and propagates through the resonant medium with minimal absorption. The interference of the phase-dependent Raman scattering with the multiphoton transition is found to be responsible for the vanishing of ionization in the presence of the generated third-harmonic field, an effect which was observed in earlier experiments.
A class of molecular two-photon processes, occurring under transient or steady-state conditions, is analyzed exactly for certain cases using a density-matrix formalism. Our results are relevant to the recently observed phenomena of transient coherent Raman beats and steady-state two-photon absorption of oppositely directed laser beams. Lowest-order perturbation theories have shown that these processes are insensitive to the Doppler effect, and consequently the linewidth is unaffected by Doppler broadening and by elastic collisions that change molecular velocity. The solutions presented here are of the same form for the Raman and two-photon problems and reveal significant power-dependent frequency shifts and line broadening that correct the ideal Doppler-free solutions. For the transient case, we assume a molecular three-level quantum structure that can be switched in or out of optical resonance with cw laser radiation by means of a pulsed dc Stark field, but the solutions also apply when resonant optical pulses are introduced. During the resonant condition when the Stark pulse is on, the three levels are prepared in coherent superposition, and during the nonresonant condition following the Stark pulse, the laser field(s) stimulates the coherently prepared sample in a transient two-photon process. One of these processes, the Ramanbeat effect, has been observed in forward scattering, but the second one, transient two-photon emission, should be observable in backward scattering. Bloch-like equations are derived for this three-level problem that facilitate an exact pulse solution for state preparation. Following the pulse, transient decay is well-approximated by a perturbation calculation. For the steady-state case, an exact solution is also obtained and is of interest for continuous-wave spectroscopy or for transient experiments requiring an initial preparation of quantum states, prior to Stark switching. These solutions exhibit a power-dependent line broadening and a frequency shift of magnitude $\ensuremath{\sim}\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}({\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\beta}}^{2})}{({\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{2}+\frac{1}{{T}_{2}^{2}})}$, in agreement with our earlier estimate, where $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and $\ensuremath{\beta}$ are the Rabi flopping frequencies for the two intermediate transitions and $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is the off-resonance tuning behavior for one of them.