Scientific Reports

Observation and quantification of the quantum dynamics of a strong-field excited multi-level system

Zuoye Liu, Quanjun Wang, J. J. Ding, Stefano M. Cavaletto, Thomas Pfeifer, Bitao Hu

Published Jan 4, 2017• 6 citations

Abstract

The quantum dynamics of a V-type three-level system, whose two resonances are first excited by a weak probe pulse and subsequently modified by another strong one, is studied. The quantum dynamics of the multi-level system is closely related to the absorption spectrum of the transmitted probe pulse and its modification manifests itself as a modulation of the absorption line shape. Applying the dipole-control model, the modulation induced by the second strong pulse to the system's dynamics is quantified by eight intensity-dependent parameters, describing the self and inter-state contributions. The present study opens the route to control the quantum dynamics of multi-level systems and to quantify the quantum-control process.

DOI: 10.1038/srep39993

Related papers

Transient-absorption phases with strong probe and pump pulses

Vadim Becquet, Stefano M. Cavaletto

Abstract The quantum dynamics of a system of Rb atoms, modeled by a V -type three-level system interacting with intense probe and pump pulses, are studied. The time-delay-dependent transient-absorption spectrum of an intense probe pulse is thus predicted, simulating pump-probe experiments in which this is preceded or followed by a strong pump pulse. Numerical results are interpreted in terms of an analytical model based on interaction operators , which quantify the transformation undergone by the system under the action of an intense pulse. The oscillating features of the resulting transient-absorption spectra, due to the coupling of several excited states, are thus interpreted in terms of the atomic population and phase changes imposed by the pump and probe pulses. Strong-field-induced phases and their influence on the resulting transient-absorption spectra are thereby investigated for different values of pump and probe intensities and frequencies, focusing on the atomic properties which are encoded in the absorption line shapes for positive and negative time delays.

arXiv:1703.09182Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical PhysicsSep 22, 20176 citations

Transient-absorption phases with strong probe and pump pulses

Becquet, V., Cavaletto, S.

The quantum dynamics of a system of Rb atoms, modeled by a V-type three-level system interacting with intense probe and pump pulses, are studied. The time-delay-dependent transient-absorption spectrum of an intense probe pulse is thus predicted, when this is preceded or followed by a strong pump pulse. Numerical results are interpreted in terms of an analytical model, which allows us to quantify the oscillating features of the resulting transient-absorption spectra in terms of the atomic populations and phases generated by the intense pulses. Strong-field-induced phases and their influence on the resulting transient-absorption spectra are thereby investigated for different values of pump and probe intensities and frequencies, focusing on the atomic properties which are encoded in the absorption line shapes for positive and negative time delays.

Jan 8, 20183 citations

Phase Reconstruction of Strong-Field Excited Systems by Transient-Absorption Spectroscopy

Zuoye Liu, Stefano M. Cavaletto, Christian Ott +5 more

The evolution of a V-type three-level system is studied, whose two resonances are coherently excited and coupled by two ultrashort laser pump and probe pulses, separated by a varying time delay. We relate the quantum dynamics of the excited multilevel system to the absorption spectrum of the transmitted probe pulse. In particular, by analyzing the quantum evolution of the system, we interpret how atomic phases are differently encoded in the time-delay-dependent spectral absorption profiles when the pump pulse either precedes or follows the probe pulse. This scheme is experimentally applied to atomic Rb, whose fine-structure-split 5s (2)S{1/2}→5p(2)P{1/2} and 5s(2)S_{1/2}→5p(2)P{3/2} transitions are driven by the combined action of a pump pulse of variable intensity and a delayed probe pulse. The provided understanding of the relationship between quantum phases and absorption spectra represents an important step towards full time-dependent phase reconstruction (quantum holography) of bound-state wave packets in strong-field light-matter interactions with atoms, molecules, and solids.

arXiv:1504.00261Physical Review LettersJul 13, 201528 citations

Analysis of a q-deformed hyperbolic short laser pulse in a multi-level atomic system

Nadia Boutabba, Sofiane Grira, Hichem Eleuch

A fast laser pulse with a q-deformed hyperbolic function shape is investigated in a Multi-level atomic system. Therefore, we first derive the exact solution of the Bloch equations describing a two-level atom excited by a q-deformed laser pulse with dephasing and time-dependent detuning. Next, we analyze the dynamic of the atomic population inversion at resonance and off-resonance of a Rubidium 87 three-level atom driven by a classical weak field and a strong q-deformed control laser. Finally, in order to get a deeper insight of the probe field's absorption and dispersion properties, we investigate the coherence's dependence on the q-deformation. Our work demonstrates that, the dynamic of the atomic system can be fully controlled through the manipulation of the asymmetry scaling parameter q of the q-deformed hyperbolic laser wave-form.

Scientific ReportsJun 3, 202213 citations

Strong field control of multilevel quantum systems

Stephen D. Clow

In this thesis, we present work on coherent control of multilevelquantum systems in the strong field limit using shaped ultrafastlaser pulses. In recent years there have been numerous multiphotonabsorption experiments in two,three, and four-level atomic/molecularsystems and many are performed in the limit of weak fields whereperturbation theory is valid. Here, we describe a series ofexperiments aimed at exploring and understanding multiphotontransitions when the exciting field is strong and perturbationtheory breaks down. Our approach to strong field control utilizesboth parameterized scans of various pulse shapes and closed-looplearning control to identify a pulse shape that is optimal forpopulating a target quantum state. With this we will highlight thedifference between sequential population transfer and adiabaticrapid passage in multilevel systems with multiphoton couplingbetween levels. Additionally, we examine strong field control of afour-level atomic interferometer and show how interference in atarget state changes from resonant pathways in the frequency domainto time-domain interference via a singe path.Further, we use shaped femtosecond pulses to demonstrate aphenomenon in which a three-level atom becomes a modulator of anultrafast pulse. The results are based on a pump-probe scheme thatis very similar to Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT).Important dynamics associated with a time-dependent coupling fieldare examined. Lastly, we extend previous work on two-photon drivensuperfluorescence from a shaped ultrafast drive laser and show howstimulated emission near threshold can turn modest coherent controlyields into essentially perfect discrimination between systems wherea control factor of about 104 is achieved between atomic andmolecular species.

Aug 1, 20101 citation

Absorption spectrum of a V-type three-level atom driven by a coherent field

Po Dong, Sing Hai Tang

We examine the absorption of a weak probe beam by a laser driven V-type atom with a pair of closely lying excited levels, where both the driving and probe lasers interact simultaneously with the two transitions. The effects of quantum interference among decay channels on the absorption spectra are also investigated. We introduce dipole moments in the dressed-state representation and the Hamiltonian in terms of the dressed states describing the interaction between the probe and the atom. In the degenerate case, features similar to that of a driven two-level atomic system are found due to some dark transitions in the spontaneous emission and the fact that the probe beam only detects certain transitions. In the nondegenerate case, the absorption spectrum is strongly influenced by the degree of quantum interference, resulting in different line shapes for emission peaks, absorption peaks, and dispersionlike profiles. The effect of probe polarization on the absorption spectrum is also investigated.

Physical Review AFeb 20, 200231 citations