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 Letters

Interference between optical transitions

Ce Chen, Yi-Yian Yin, Daniel S. Elliott

Published Jan 29, 1990• 315 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report observations of an interference between optical transition amplitudes for linear and nonlinear excitation of the mercury 6s $^{1}\mathrm{S}_{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6p $^{1}\mathrm{P}_{1}$ transition. The transition probability is varied sinusoidally by changing the relative phase of the two fields inducing these distinct processes.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.64.507

Related papers

Propagation effects in two-color coherent-control processes

Ce Chen, Daniel S. Elliott

We have investigated a two-color coherent-control process at high densities of the absorbing medium. Irradiating a vapor of atomic mercury with a coherent field, with one component nearly resonant with the three-photon 6s${\mathrm{}}^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6p${\mathrm{}}^{1}$${\mathit{P}}_{1}^{\mathit{o}}$ transition, and the other component the third harmonic of the first, we observe the interference between the two excitation pathways for this transition. Measurements of this interaction as the density of the mercury vapor is increased show evidence of nonlinear coupling (phase and amplitude locking) of the two field components with each other. This is manifested as a decrease in the magnitude of the photoionization signal, as well as a decrease of the depth of modulation of the photoionization signal. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

Physical Review A•Jan 1, 1996•17 citations

Interference between different optical processes

Ce. Chen

This thesis reports an experimental study of an interference phenomenon between one-photon and three-photon 6s$\sp1$S$\sb0$-6p$\sp1$P$\sb1$ transition amplitudes in a vapor of atomic mercury. The interference was observed by monitoring the multiphoton ionization signal. Using a three-cell design we were able to separate the third-harmonic generation process and the interfering absorption processes such that we could externally control the relative phase between the two transition amplitudes and directly study the interference phenomena. We observed that the multiphoton ionization signal, which is a measure of the net transition moment, varied sinusoidally as the relative phase increased. Using an eight-electrode design to collect the electrons ionized at different positions along the beam axis around the focal region, we measured the phase shift of the interference due to the $\pi$ phase shift of a focused Gaussian beam propagating through the focal region. The experimental setup and the experimental procedure are discussed in detail. This new method can be used in the study of many phase sensitive processes including potential applications in coherent control of chemical reactions.

•Jan 1, 1991•0 citations

Phase-sensitive multiphoton ionization

Ce Chen, Yi-Yian Yin, Daniel S. Elliott

We have demonstrated an interference between multiphoton ionization processes that results in a phase-sensitive enhancement or inhibition of the net ionization rate. We focus two laser beams, either of which can induce an atomic transition between the same two states, into a cell containing atomic mercury. One of the fields is at a wavelength of 185 nm and can linearly induce the 6s 1S0 → 6p 1P1 transition in mercury. The other field is at a wavelength precisely three times as long, and it can excite the 6p resonance by a three-photon process. The absorption of two additional visible photons ionizes the mercury. In the presence of both fields, the transition amplitudes interfere, and their relative phases become very important. Their phases can be controlled by controlling the phases of the optical fields inducing the transitions. Coherence between the two fields, vital for the interference, is ensured by generating one field from the other using a nonlinear third-harmonic process. We have also demonstrated the effect of spatial phase variations between the two fields on the local photo-ionization rate.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1990•0 citations

Tunable Resonant Enhancement in Nonlinear Optical Frequency Mixing

Arlee V. Smith

The ability to introduce additional resonances in the nonlinear optical susceptibility of a medium by the injection of an additional radiation field is an attractive possibility from the standpoint of efficient tunable frequency mixing processes in the VUV. The possibility of such processes suggest themselves in previous observations in atomic mercury where an enhancement of several orders of magnitude in the third harmonic generation efficiency has been reported when the input frequency is four-photon resonant with the 6S → 6D transition(1).

Topical Meeting on Laser Techniques in the Extreme Ultraviolet•Jan 1, 1984•0 citations

Phase-controlled quantum interference in two-color atomic photoionization

Stefano Cavalieri, R. Eramo, Lorenzo Fini

We report evidence of an interference process between two bound-free atomic transitions induced by laser fields. Sodium atoms, initially prepared in the ${3\mathrm{P}}_{1\mathrm{/}2}$ excited state, are ionized by a nonresonant three-photon interaction with 1064-nm laser light and by a one-photon interaction with the third-harmonic field, at 355 nm. Interference between the two transition paths allows the control of the total ionization rate by varying the relative phase of the laser fields. The experiment has provided a fringe visibility as high as 42%.

Physical Review A•Apr 1, 1997•20 citations

EFFECT OF LASER INTENSITY VARIATION AND COHERENCE ON THE RESONANT EXCITATION OF THE 6P-1(1)-6D-1(2) TRANSITION OF ATOMIC MERCURY

Andrew James Murray, MURRAY, AJ, W. R. MacGillivray +1 more

•May 1, 1991•0 citations
We report observations of an interference between optical transition amplitudes for linear and nonlinear excitation of the mercury 6s 1S0^{1}\mathrm{S}_{0}1S0​\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6p 1P1^{1}\mathrm{P}_{1}1P1​ transition. The transition probability is varied sinusoidally by changing the relative phase of the two fields inducing these distinct processes.
We have investigated a two-color coherent-control process at high densities of the absorbing medium. Irradiating a vapor of atomic mercury with a coherent field, with one component nearly resonant with the three-photon 6s1{\mathrm{}}^{1}1S0{\mathit{S}}_{0}S0​\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6p1{\mathrm{}}^{1}1P1o{\mathit{P}}_{1}^{\mathit{o}}P1o​ transition, and the other component the third harmonic of the first, we observe the interference between the two excitation pathways for this transition. Measurements of this interaction as the density of the mercury vapor is increased show evidence of nonlinear coupling (phase and amplitude locking) of the two field components with each other. This is manifested as a decrease in the magnitude of the photoionization signal, as well as a decrease of the depth of modulation of the photoionization signal. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
This thesis reports an experimental study of an interference phenomenon between one-photon and three-photon 6s$\sp1$S$\sb0$-6p$\sp1$P$\sb1$ transition amplitudes in a vapor of atomic mercury. The interference was observed by monitoring the multiphoton ionization signal. Using a three-cell design we were able to separate the third-harmonic generation process and the interfering absorption processes such that we could externally control the relative phase between the two transition amplitudes and directly study the interference phenomena. We observed that the multiphoton ionization signal, which is a measure of the net transition moment, varied sinusoidally as the relative phase increased. Using an eight-electrode design to collect the electrons ionized at different positions along the beam axis around the focal region, we measured the phase shift of the interference due to the π\piπ phase shift of a focused Gaussian beam propagating through the focal region. The experimental setup and the experimental procedure are discussed in detail. This new method can be used in the study of many phase sensitive processes including potential applications in coherent control of chemical reactions.
We have demonstrated an interference between multiphoton ionization processes that results in a phase-sensitive enhancement or inhibition of the net ionization rate. We focus two laser beams, either of which can induce an atomic transition between the same two states, into a cell containing atomic mercury. One of the fields is at a wavelength of 185 nm and can linearly induce the 6s 1S0 → 6p 1P1 transition in mercury. The other field is at a wavelength precisely three times as long, and it can excite the 6p resonance by a three-photon process. The absorption of two additional visible photons ionizes the mercury. In the presence of both fields, the transition amplitudes interfere, and their relative phases become very important. Their phases can be controlled by controlling the phases of the optical fields inducing the transitions. Coherence between the two fields, vital for the interference, is ensured by generating one field from the other using a nonlinear third-harmonic process. We have also demonstrated the effect of spatial phase variations between the two fields on the local photo-ionization rate.
The ability to introduce additional resonances in the nonlinear optical susceptibility of a medium by the injection of an additional radiation field is an attractive possibility from the standpoint of efficient tunable frequency mixing processes in the VUV. The possibility of such processes suggest themselves in previous observations in atomic mercury where an enhancement of several orders of magnitude in the third harmonic generation efficiency has been reported when the input frequency is four-photon resonant with the 6S → 6D transition(1).
We report evidence of an interference process between two bound-free atomic transitions induced by laser fields. Sodium atoms, initially prepared in the 3P1/2{3\mathrm{P}}_{1\mathrm{/}2}3P1/2​ excited state, are ionized by a nonresonant three-photon interaction with 1064-nm laser light and by a one-photon interaction with the third-harmonic field, at 355 nm. Interference between the two transition paths allows the control of the total ionization rate by varying the relative phase of the laser fields. The experiment has provided a fringe visibility as high as 42%.