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

Opto-Electronics and Communications Conference (OECC)

Diffraction-contrast imaging of excited-state cold atoms

S. C. Bell, David V. Sheludko, Hua Yu, D. Heywood, Robert E Scholten

Published Jul 1, 2006• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We have demonstrated off-resonant imaging of a cold atom cloud, computationally extracting the atomic column density map from a diffraction pattern. We are developing the technique to imaging of excited-state atoms.
DOI
10.1109/acoft.2006.4519299

Related papers

Near-Resonant imaging of trapped cold atomic samples

Li You, Maciej Lewenstein

We study the formation of diffraction patterns in the near-resonant imaging of trapped cold atomic samples. We show that the spatial imaging can provide detailed information on the trapped atomic clouds.

Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology•Jul 1, 1996•5 citations

Diffraction-contrast imaging of cold atoms

Lincoln D. Turner, K.F.E.M. Domen, Robert E Scholten

We consider the inverse problem of in-line holography, applied to minimally destructive imaging of cold atom clouds. Absorption imaging near resonance provides a simple, but destructive measurement of atom column density. Imaging off resonance greatly reduces heating, and sequential images may be taken. Under the conditions required for off-resonant imaging, the generally intractable inverse problem may be linearized. A minimally destructive, quantitative and high-resolution image of the atom cloud column density is then retrieved from a single diffraction pattern.

arXiv:physics/0501057•Physical Review A•Sep 15, 2005•46 citations

Imaging of cold 85Rb atoms using electromagnetically induced transparency

Sebastian D. Saliba, David V. Sheludko, SC Bell +1 more

Imaging cold atom samples provides interesting opportunities for studying not only the external atomic distribution, but also the internal atomic state, particularly for atoms prepared in a coherent state. We have previously developed techniques for off-resonant imaging of a cold atom cloud, without optical elements, computationally extracting the atomic column density map from a diffraction pattern (diffraction contrast imaging or DCI). We are now combining two lasers and three atomic states in a Λ-system to explore atomic coherence via two-dimensional imaging of electromagnetically induced transparency.

Quantum-Atom Optics Downunder (QAO)•Jan 1, 2007•0 citations

Imaging atoms from resonance fluorescence spectrum beyond the diffraction limit

Zeyang Liao, M. Al-Amri, Muhammad Suhail Zubairy

Bulletin of the American Physical Society•Mar 7, 2014•0 citations

Atom Diffraction from a Microscopic Spot

P. Roncin, William Allison

Researchers have developed an atom-diffraction imaging method with micrometer spatial resolution, which may allow new applications in material characterization.

Physics•Dec 6, 2023•0 citations

Non-iterative imaging of inhomogeneous cold atom clouds using phase retrieval from a single diffraction measurement

David V. Sheludko, A. J. McCulloch, M. Jasperse +2 more

We demonstrate a new imaging technique for cold atom clouds based on phase retrieval from a single diffraction measurement. Most single-shot diffractive imaging methods for cold atoms assume a monomorphic object to extract the column density. The method described here allows quantitative imaging of an inhomogeneous cloud, enabling recovery of either the atomic density or the refractive index, provided the other is known. Using ideas borrowed from density functional theory, we calculate the approximate paraxial diffracted intensity derivative from the measured diffracted intensity distribution and use it to solve the Transport of Intensity Equation (TIE) for the phase of the wave at the detector plane. Back-propagation to the object plane yields the object exit surface wave and then provides a quantitative measurement of either the atomic column density or refractive index. Images of homogeneous clouds showed good quantitative agreement with conventional techniques. An inhomogeneous cloud was created using a cascade electromagnetically induced transparency scheme and images of both phase and amplitude parts of refractive index across the cloud were separately retrieved, showing good agreement with theoretical results.

Optics Express•Jan 13, 2010•10 citations
We consider the inverse problem of in-line holography, applied to minimally destructive imaging of cold atom clouds. Absorption imaging near resonance provides a simple, but destructive measurement of atom column density. Imaging off resonance greatly reduces heating, and sequential images may be taken. Under the conditions required for off-resonant imaging, the generally intractable inverse problem may be linearized. A minimally destructive, quantitative and high-resolution image of the atom cloud column density is then retrieved from a single diffraction pattern.
Imaging cold atom samples provides interesting opportunities for studying not only the external atomic distribution, but also the internal atomic state, particularly for atoms prepared in a coherent state. We have previously developed techniques for off-resonant imaging of a cold atom cloud, without optical elements, computationally extracting the atomic column density map from a diffraction pattern (diffraction contrast imaging or DCI). We are now combining two lasers and three atomic states in a Λ-system to explore atomic coherence via two-dimensional imaging of electromagnetically induced transparency.
We demonstrate a new imaging technique for cold atom clouds based on phase retrieval from a single diffraction measurement. Most single-shot diffractive imaging methods for cold atoms assume a monomorphic object to extract the column density. The method described here allows quantitative imaging of an inhomogeneous cloud, enabling recovery of either the atomic density or the refractive index, provided the other is known. Using ideas borrowed from density functional theory, we calculate the approximate paraxial diffracted intensity derivative from the measured diffracted intensity distribution and use it to solve the Transport of Intensity Equation (TIE) for the phase of the wave at the detector plane. Back-propagation to the object plane yields the object exit surface wave and then provides a quantitative measurement of either the atomic column density or refractive index. Images of homogeneous clouds showed good quantitative agreement with conventional techniques. An inhomogeneous cloud was created using a cascade electromagnetically induced transparency scheme and images of both phase and amplitude parts of refractive index across the cloud were separately retrieved, showing good agreement with theoretical results.