Quantum beating among the s, p, and d orbitals of atomic Rb

Changjun Zhu, Qing Chu, Bei Xu

J. E. Golub, THOMAS W. MOSSBERG

S. Geltman

Zhu Chang-jun, Junfang He, Xue Bing +1 more

Two coupled parametric four-wave-mixing processes in Rb atoms are studied using perturbation theory, which reveals clear evidence of the appearance of quantum beat at 608 cm −1 , corresponding to the energy difference of the 7 s −5 d states of Rb atoms, in the parametric four-wave-mixing signals. A pump–probe technique is utilized to observe the quantum beat. Time-varying characteristics of the quantum beat are investigated using time-dependent Fourier transform. The results show that the time-varying characteristics of the quantum beat not only offers a sensitive detecting method for observing the decay of atomic wave packets, but also provides a potential tool for monitoring the dissociation of molecules.

Vijayashankar Ramareddy, Brian P. Timmons, G. Behinaein +2 more

Changjun Zhu, Zhongling Lu, Ju Gao +3 more

We report the observation of an anomalous polarization effect in the quantum beating of Rb 7s-5d states. When the pump and probe pulses are elliptically polarized, the quantum beat disappears. With a linear polarizer placed behind the Rb cell, this quantum beat reappears. These results agree with atomic wavepacket theory.