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Chinese Physics B

Highly sensitive detection of Rydberg atoms with fluorescence loss spectrum in cold atoms*

Xuerong Shi, Hao Zhang, Mingyong Jing, Linjie Zhang, Liantuan Xiao, Suotang Jia

Published Nov 20, 2019• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Fluorescence loss spectrum for detecting cold Rydberg atoms with high sensitivity has been obtained based on lock-in detection of fluorescence of 6P3/2 state when cooling lasers of the magneto-optical trap are modulated. The experiment results show that the signal to noise ratio has been improved by 32.64 dB when the modulation depth (converted to laser frequency) and frequency are optimized to 4 MHz and 6 kHz, respectively. This technique enables us to perform a highly sensitive non-destructive detection of Rydberg atoms.

DOI
10.1088/1674-1056/ab593b

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Fluorescence loss spectrum for detecting cold Rydberg atoms with high sensitivity has been obtained based on lock-in detection of fluorescence of 6P3/2 state when cooling lasers of the magneto-optical trap are modulated. The experiment results show that the signal to noise ratio has been improved by 32.64 dB when the modulation depth (converted to laser frequency) and frequency are optimized to 4 MHz and 6 kHz, respectively. This technique enables us to perform a highly sensitive non-destructive detection of Rydberg atoms.
Resonant frequency modulation spectroscopy has been previously used as a highly sensitive method for measuring the output of cold atom interferometers. Using a detailed model that accounts for optical saturation, laser intensities and atomic densities that vary spatially, and radiation pressure on the atoms, we theoretically investigate under what parameter regimes the optimum signal-to-noise ratio is found under experimentally realistic conditions. We compare this technique to the standard method of fluorescence imaging and find that it outperforms fluorescence imaging for compact interferometers using condensed atomic sources or where the photon collection efficiency is limited. However, we find that fluorescence imaging is likely to be the preferred method when using squeezed atomic sources due to limited atom number.
We present a technique for detecting ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) radio fields using a three-photon Rydberg excitation scheme in a continuously laser-cooled sample of 87 Rb atoms. By measuring Autler-Townes splitting, we demonstrate resonant detection of UHF fields with frequency range around 500–900 MHz through probing n F → n G transitions, achieving a lowest minimum detectable field of 2.5(6) mV/cm at 899 MHz. We also demonstrate continuous-time detection of a modulated rf signal, with a 3-dB bandwidth of 5.7(4) kHz at a carrier frequency of 899 MHz. Our approach employs atom loss spectroscopy rather than electromagnetically induced transparency , which enables detection while the atomic sample is simultaneously laser-cooled. We investigate this operating regime to determine the feasibility of combining the benefits of reduced thermal dephasing (and subsequent increased sensitivity) of cold atoms with the continuous operation associated with thermal atoms. Our continuous-time detection scheme provides an advantage over existing pulsed cold atom systems as we avoid the slow experimental duty cycles typically associated with replenishing the cold atom ensemble. We characterize the excitation scheme by varying laser detunings and analyze the impact and limitations due to various broadening mechanisms on the detection sensitivity.
Abstract Three-photon laser excitation of single rubidium atoms in an optical dipole trap (ODT) into the 37P Rydberg state by laser radiation with wavelengths of 780, 1367, and 743 nm has been experimentally demonstrated. The excitation to Rydberg states is detected by an optical method using the losses of atoms in the ODT. The laser excitation spectra of single Rydberg atoms in the ODT are recorded, and the dependence of the excitation probability on the laser pulse duration is measured. The measured spectrum width was 2 MHz. Experiments on fluorescence quenching spectroscopy of a cloud of cold atoms in a magneto-optical trap during the three-photon laser excitation of atoms to Rydberg states are also carried out. The experimental results are compared with a numerical calculation. Methods for increasing the accuracy of the coherent three-photon laser excitation of Rydberg atoms in the ODT are considered.
The spectra of highly excited 40 Ca atoms prepared using a magneto-optical trap and an ultraviolet laser are experimentally studied. The dependence of the atomic density in the magneto-optical trap on the detuning frequency of cooling radiation and on the magnetic field gradient is determined. By using the technique based on the reduction of resonance fluorescence, the energy of the 76 1 S 0 Rydberg state for 40 Ca atoms is determined. A new scheme for stabilization of the laser frequency to create highly excited Rydberg atoms is demonstrated. This scheme employs the saturated absorption spectrum in a cell with rubidium atomic gas.
We demonstrate the single-photon Rydberg excitation of cesium atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). We excite atoms directly from 6S1/2ground state to nP3/2(n = 70-100) Rydberg state with a narrow-linewidth 319-nm ultra-violet laser. The detection of Rydberg states is performed by monitoring the reduction of fluorescence signal of the MOT as partial population on 6S1/2(F = 4) ground state are transferred to Rydberg state. We clearly observe Autler-Townes doublet in the trap-loss spectra due to the cooling lights. Utilizing the large electric polarizibility of Rydberg atoms, we observe Stark splitting in the Autler-Townes doublet induced by background DC electric fields. We investigate the dependence of Stark shift on electric fields by theoretical analysis, and then infer the DC electric field from the measured Stark splitting. We find that there is a 44.8(4) mV/cm DC electric field in the vicinity of the cold ensemble. It indicates that high-lying Rydberg atoms can be used as sensors for DC electric fields.