Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics
Rapid adiabatic passage in a Pr3+:Y2SiO5crystal
Jens Klein, Fabian Beil, Thomas Halfmann
Abstract
We report on rapid adiabatic passage (RAP) in a Pr3+:Y2SiO5 crystal, cooled to cryogenic temperatures. The medium is prepared by optical pumping and spectral hole burning, creating a spectrally isolated two-level system within the inhomogeneous bandwidth of the 3H4 → 1D2 transition of the Pr3+ ions. A chirped laser pulse drives a RAP process in the medium, i.e. inverts the initial population distribution. We study the properties and dynamics of RAP by means of fluorescence detection, absorption spectroscopy and amplified spontaneous emission. Time-resolved absorption measurements serve to monitor the adiabatic population dynamics during the excitation process. In addition, we compare the results with coherent excitation at fixed laser frequency detuned from resonance, i.e. coherent population return (CPR).