The dependence of the optical Autler-Townes effect on laser field phase fluctuations describable by a two-dimensional Markovian process (phase-diffusion model with a non-Lorentzian line shape) is investigated experimentally in atomic sodium. An intense cw laser tuned to near resonance with the ${3\mathrm{S}}_{1/2}$ (F=2, ${\mathrm{M}}_{\mathrm{F}}$ =2)\ensuremath{\rightarrow} ${3\mathrm{P}}_{3/2}$ (F=3, ${\mathrm{M}}_{\mathrm{F}}$ =3) transition was frequency modulated to generate phase fluctuations with the desired characteristics. A weak probe laser coupling to the 4 ${D}_{5/2}$ (F=4, ${M}_{F}$ =4) state was used to obtain the double-peaked optical Autler-Townes absorption profiles in order to investigate their dependencies on band shape, bandwidth, intensity, and detuning of the intense fluctuating laser field. Reversals of the peak-height asymmetry and reversion to normal asymmetry with increased detuning were observed and measured. Quantitative studies of the spectral widths and splittings of the peaks are also reported. Measured absorption profiles are in excellent agreement with calculations based on previous theoretical work.The dependence of the optical Autler-Townes effect on laser field phase fluctuations describable by a two-dimensional Markovian process (phase-diffusion model with a non-Lorentzian line shape) is investigated experimentally in atomic sodium. An intense cw laser tuned to near resonance with the ${3\mathrm{S}}_{1/2}$(F=2,${\mathrm{M}}_{\mathrm{F}}$=2)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${3\mathrm{P}}_{3/2}$(F=3,${\mathrm{M}}_{\mathrm{F}}$=3) transition was frequency modulated to generate phase fluctuations with the desired characteristics. A weak probe laser coupling to the 4${D}_{5/2}$(F=4, ${M}_{F}$=4) state was used to obtain the double-peaked optical Autler-Townes absorption profiles in order to investigate their dependencies on band shape, bandwidth, intensity, and detuning of the intense fluctuating laser field. Reversals of the peak-height asymmetry and reversion to normal asymmetry with increased detuning were observed and measured. Quantitative studies of the spectral widths and splittings of the peaks are also reported. Measured absorption profiles are in excellent agreement with calculations based on previous theoretical work.

Physical Review AJul 1, 198742 citations

Simple atomic systems in resonant laser fields

Mikhail L. Ter-Mikhaelyan

Uspekhi Fizicheskih NaukJan 1, 19978 citations

Fluctuations in the process of resonant atomic absorption: laser phase-noise to amplitude-noise conversion

James C. Camparo

In the weak-field limit, resonant absorption is viewed as a passive process: an optical field impinges on an atom, and within some cross-sectional area the atom has a high probability for absorbing the radiant energy. Absorption, however, is a dynamic process. Consequently, though a singlemode laser is highly monochromatic, the field's phase noise (i.e., quantum noise) generates fluctuations in the atom's absorption cross section. Laser phase noise (PM) thereby gives rise to absorption cross-section noise, and hence fluctuations in the medium's transmitted light intensity (AM). Following a brief overview of the PM-to-AM conversion process, we consider the role of collisions on PM-to-AM conversion efficiency in the weak-field regime. Specifically, the relative-intensity-noise of a diode laser, tuned to the Rb D1 transition, was measured after it passed through a rubidium/nitrogen vapor. Varying the nitrogen pressure, we found that rapid collisional dephasing decreased the efficiency of PM-to-AM conversion. Examining the rubidium hyperfine transition lineshape as a function of nitrogen pressure, we then found that pressure-broadening increased the transition's signal-to-noise ratio when limited by the PM-to-AM conversion process.In the weak-field limit, resonant absorption is viewed as a passive process: an optical field impinges on an atom, and within some cross-sectional area the atom has a high probability for absorbing the radiant energy. Absorption, however, is a dynamic process. Consequently, though a singlemode laser is highly monochromatic, the field's phase noise (i.e., quantum noise) generates fluctuations in the atom's absorption cross section. Laser phase noise (PM) thereby gives rise to absorption cross-section noise, and hence fluctuations in the medium's transmitted light intensity (AM). Following a brief overview of the PM-to-AM conversion process, we consider the role of collisions on PM-to-AM conversion efficiency in the weak-field regime. Specifically, the relative-intensity-noise of a diode laser, tuned to the Rb D1 transition, was measured after it passed through a rubidium/nitrogen vapor. Varying the nitrogen pressure, we found that rapid collisional dephasing decreased the efficiency of PM-to-AM conversion. Examining the rubidium hyperfine transition lineshape as a function of nitrogen pressure, we then found that pressure-broadening increased the transition's signal-to-noise ratio when limited by the PM-to-AM conversion process.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIEMay 16, 20030 citations

Trapping of atoms in the near field of laser light

В. В. Климов, Vladilen S Letokhov

ZhETF Pisma RedaktsiiuJan 1, 19950 citations

Intensity correlation and anti-correlation in electromagnetically induced absorption

Hee Jung Lee, Han Seb Moon

We present measurements of the intensity fluctuations of electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) in the 5S₁/₂ (F = 2)-5P₃/₂(F' = 3) transition of ⁸⁷Rb atoms. Using a linearly polarized laser, the intensity fluctuations between two circularly polarized light components was generated by the spontaneously transferred atomic coherence of EIA medium. The intensity fluctuations due to spontaneous transfer of coherence were changed from correlation of EIA at on-resonance to anti-correlation of EIA at off-resonance. We also investigated the dependence of the values of second-order correlation function g(²)(0) at zero delay time on the temperature of the atomic vapor cell and the incident laser power.We present measurements of the intensity fluctuations of electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) in the 5S₁/₂ (F = 2)-5P₃/₂(F' = 3) transition of ⁸⁷Rb atoms. Using a linearly polarized laser, the intensity fluctuations between two circularly polarized light components was generated by the spontaneously transferred atomic coherence of EIA medium. The intensity fluctuations due to spontaneous transfer of coherence were changed from correlation of EIA at on-resonance to anti-correlation of EIA at off-resonance. We also investigated the dependence of the values of second-order correlation function g(²)(0) at zero delay time on the temperature of the atomic vapor cell and the incident laser power.

Optics ExpressJan 24, 20133 citations

Stabilization of Atoms in a Strong Laser Field

Mikhail Vladimirovich Fedorov

Springer series in chemical physicsJan 1, 20067 citations

{3\mathrm{S}}_{1/2}

(F=2,

{\mathrm{M}}_{\mathrm{F}}

=2)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}

{3\mathrm{P}}_{3/2}

(F=3,

{\mathrm{M}}_{\mathrm{F}}

=3) transition was frequency modulated to generate phase fluctuations with the desired characteristics. A weak probe laser coupling to the 4

{D}_{5/2}

(F=4,

{M}_{F}

=4) state was used to obtain the double-peaked optical Autler-Townes absorption profiles in order to investigate their dependencies on band shape, bandwidth, intensity, and detuning of the intense fluctuating laser field. Reversals of the peak-height asymmetry and reversion to normal asymmetry with increased detuning were observed and measured. Quantitative studies of the spectral widths and splittings of the peaks are also reported. Measured absorption profiles are in excellent agreement with calculations based on previous theoretical work.