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

Journal of Microscopy

A method for controlling the spins of atoms using optical near‐fields

Akira Shojiguchi, Kazuo Kitahara, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Motoichi Ohtsu

Published Jun 1, 2003• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

On the basis of the procedure for controlling the spins of atoms using circularly polarized evanescent light proposed by Hori et al.[(1996) Abstracts of the 1st Asia-Pacific Workshop on Near-field Optics] we discuss the influence of boundary conditions on the probability of spontaneous emission and thus on the spin polarization efficiency, which was not considered in the Hori et al. study. Using the Carniglia-Mandel mode expansion of electromagnetic fields, we derive the spontaneous emission and spin polarization probabilities of atoms near a dielectric surface, and show the atom-surface distance dependence and refractive index dependence. Numerical evaluation for the 6P1/2-6S1/2 transition of a Cs atom indicates an increase in the efficiency of spin polarization by 30%.

DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2818.2003.01157.x

Related papers

State‐selective optical near‐field resonant ionization spectroscopy of atoms near a dielectric surface

Yasuo Ohdaira, K. Kijima, K. Terasawa +3 more

Spin-sensitive optical near-field microscopy and spectroscopy are proposed based on the study on the conserved quantities in optical near-field interactions of atoms with dielectric surfaces. A two-step photoionization spectra of Cs atoms resolving hyperfine structures are demonstrated near a planar dielectric surface by using evanescent waves. These techniques of state/spin-selective excitation and highly sensitive detection, combined with the techniques of optical pumping, will open up possibilities of space- and polarization-sensitive detection of optical near-fields using atomic probes. This novel method provides us with a useful technique for the observation of polarization nature of the optical near-field and controlling the spin states of mesoscopic electronic systems.

Journal of Microscopy•Apr 1, 2001•8 citations

Near-field effect in quantum optics of surface: spontaneous emission in ultrathin dielectric film

Oleg N. Gadomsky, Konstantin V. Krutitsky

We have theoretically investigated the process of spontaneous emission of initially excited two-level atom inside and outside of ultra-thin dielectric film. Dielectric medium is considered as discrete-continuous system of interacting dipoles. For the solution of this boundary problem of quantum optics we use Heisenberg equations for atomic operators. Mode functions of ultra-thin film are calculated by direct solution of integro-differential field equation. Coordinate dependences of excited state life time are analyzed and it is shown that consideration of near-field effect may essentially change spectral properties of the atoms located at small distances from the surface.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Sep 26, 1997•0 citations

Characteristics of Spontaneous Emission of Polarized Atoms in Metal–Dielectric Multiple Layer Structures

Zhao Li-Ming, Ben–Yuan Gu, Yun‐Song Zhou

The spontaneous emission (SE) progress of polarized atoms in a stratified structure of air–dielectric(D0)–metal(M)–dielectric(D1)–air can be controlled effectively by changing the thickness of the D1 layer and rotating the polarized direction of atoms. It is found that the normalized SE rate of atoms located inside the D0 layer crucially depends on the atomic position and the thickness of the D1 layer. When the atom is located near the D0–M interface, the normalized atomic SE rate as a function of the atomic position is abruptly onset for the thin D1 layer. However, with the increasing thickness of the D1 layer, the corresponding curve profile exhibits plateau and stays nearly unchanged. The substantial change of the SE rate stems from the excitation of the surface plasmon polaritons in metal-dielectric interface, and the feature crucially depends on the thickness of D1 layer. If atoms are positioned near the D0–air interface, the substantial variation of the normalized SE rate appears when rotating the polarized direction of atoms. These findings manifest that the atomic SE processes can be flexibly controlled by altering the thickness of the dielectric layer D1 or rotating the orientation of the polarization of atoms.

Chinese Physics Letters•Oct 17, 2007•0 citations

Near-field effect and spatial distribution of spontaneous photons near surface

Oleg N. Gadomsky, Konstantin V. Krutitsky

The report is devoted to the spontaneous emission of initially excited atom near the surface of semi-infinite dielectric. We predict near field effect in quantum optics which manifests itself to the fullest extent in the near zone with respect to dielectric surface and springs up under consistent description of atomic interaction in the radiation field and under consideration of spatial dielectric structure.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 6, 1996•4 citations

Practical method for transversely measuring the spin polarization of optically pumped alkali atoms

Zhichao Ding, Jie Yuan, Xingwu Long

Abstract A practical method to measure the spin polarization of optically pumped alkali atoms is demonstrated. In order to realize transverse measurement, the transverse spin component of spin-polarized alkali atoms is created by a rotating exciting magnetic field, and detected using the optical rotation of a near-resonant probe beam for realizing a high detection sensitivity. The dependency of the optical rotation on the spin polarization of 133 Cs atoms is derived theoretically and verified experimentally. By changing the direction of the rotating magnetic field, we realize the transverse measurement of the spin polarization of 133 Cs atoms in either ground-state hyperfine level.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•May 1, 2018•5 citations

Observation of Spontaneous Spin Polarization in an Optically Pumped Cesium Vapor

W. M. Klipstein, S. K. Lamoreaux, E. Norval Fortson

We have observed spontaneous atomic spin polarization of a Cs vapor undergoing rapid spin exchange in a cell when illuminated with plane-polarized 894 nm ( $D$1) light. The spin polarization shows marked hysteresis in switching between two stable orientations, fully aligned parallel or antiparallel to an external magnetic field, as the circular polarization of the pump light is varied about zero. We show that our observations agree with theoretical expectations and point out possible applications of spontaneous polarization.

Physical Review Letters•Mar 25, 1996•21 citations
On the basis of the procedure for controlling the spins of atoms using circularly polarized evanescent light proposed by Hori et al.[(1996) Abstracts of the 1st Asia-Pacific Workshop on Near-field Optics] we discuss the influence of boundary conditions on the probability of spontaneous emission and thus on the spin polarization efficiency, which was not considered in the Hori et al. study. Using the Carniglia-Mandel mode expansion of electromagnetic fields, we derive the spontaneous emission and spin polarization probabilities of atoms near a dielectric surface, and show the atom-surface distance dependence and refractive index dependence. Numerical evaluation for the 6P1/2-6S1/2 transition of a Cs atom indicates an increase in the efficiency of spin polarization by 30%.
Spin-sensitive optical near-field microscopy and spectroscopy are proposed based on the study on the conserved quantities in optical near-field interactions of atoms with dielectric surfaces. A two-step photoionization spectra of Cs atoms resolving hyperfine structures are demonstrated near a planar dielectric surface by using evanescent waves. These techniques of state/spin-selective excitation and highly sensitive detection, combined with the techniques of optical pumping, will open up possibilities of space- and polarization-sensitive detection of optical near-fields using atomic probes. This novel method provides us with a useful technique for the observation of polarization nature of the optical near-field and controlling the spin states of mesoscopic electronic systems.
We have theoretically investigated the process of spontaneous emission of initially excited two-level atom inside and outside of ultra-thin dielectric film. Dielectric medium is considered as discrete-continuous system of interacting dipoles. For the solution of this boundary problem of quantum optics we use Heisenberg equations for atomic operators. Mode functions of ultra-thin film are calculated by direct solution of integro-differential field equation. Coordinate dependences of excited state life time are analyzed and it is shown that consideration of near-field effect may essentially change spectral properties of the atoms located at small distances from the surface.
The spontaneous emission (SE) progress of polarized atoms in a stratified structure of air–dielectric(D0)–metal(M)–dielectric(D1)–air can be controlled effectively by changing the thickness of the D1 layer and rotating the polarized direction of atoms. It is found that the normalized SE rate of atoms located inside the D0 layer crucially depends on the atomic position and the thickness of the D1 layer. When the atom is located near the D0–M interface, the normalized atomic SE rate as a function of the atomic position is abruptly onset for the thin D1 layer. However, with the increasing thickness of the D1 layer, the corresponding curve profile exhibits plateau and stays nearly unchanged. The substantial change of the SE rate stems from the excitation of the surface plasmon polaritons in metal-dielectric interface, and the feature crucially depends on the thickness of D1 layer. If atoms are positioned near the D0–air interface, the substantial variation of the normalized SE rate appears when rotating the polarized direction of atoms. These findings manifest that the atomic SE processes can be flexibly controlled by altering the thickness of the dielectric layer D1 or rotating the orientation of the polarization of atoms.
Abstract A practical method to measure the spin polarization of optically pumped alkali atoms is demonstrated. In order to realize transverse measurement, the transverse spin component of spin-polarized alkali atoms is created by a rotating exciting magnetic field, and detected using the optical rotation of a near-resonant probe beam for realizing a high detection sensitivity. The dependency of the optical rotation on the spin polarization of 133 Cs atoms is derived theoretically and verified experimentally. By changing the direction of the rotating magnetic field, we realize the transverse measurement of the spin polarization of 133 Cs atoms in either ground-state hyperfine level.
We have observed spontaneous atomic spin polarization of a Cs vapor undergoing rapid spin exchange in a cell when illuminated with plane-polarized 894 nm ( $D$1) light. The spin polarization shows marked hysteresis in switching between two stable orientations, fully aligned parallel or antiparallel to an external magnetic field, as the circular polarization of the pump light is varied about zero. We show that our observations agree with theoretical expectations and point out possible applications of spontaneous polarization.