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Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Modulate the vector beams with magneto optic effect in atomic ensembles

Liyun Zhang, Yang Yang, Xin Yang, Hong Gao, Fuli Li

Published May 22, 2020• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract The ultimate challenge for shaping technology is how to control the light field with a single optical element in a high-speed manner, wherein the spatial distribution of amplitude, phase or polarization are manipulated. Here we describe the use of the magneto optic effect to achieve the rapidly shaping of vector beams in real time using atomic ensemble. Firstly, the Faraday-rotation effect of vector beams is shown. On this basis, dynamically modulate the polarization of a vector beams on each point is implemented, and the polarization state of the manipulated beam is characterized with spatially resolved Stokes parameters measurements. The response time of this manipulation is about 40 μ s. The magnetic field high-speed switching and the dynamic manipulation capabilities of this method will be particularly useful for controlling light propagation through complex media and speed up the measurement of the properties of media.

DOI
10.1088/1361-6455/ab95ee

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•Jan 1, 2016•2 citations
Abstract The ultimate challenge for shaping technology is how to control the light field with a single optical element in a high-speed manner, wherein the spatial distribution of amplitude, phase or polarization are manipulated. Here we describe the use of the magneto optic effect to achieve the rapidly shaping of vector beams in real time using atomic ensemble. Firstly, the Faraday-rotation effect of vector beams is shown. On this basis, dynamically modulate the polarization of a vector beams on each point is implemented, and the polarization state of the manipulated beam is characterized with spatially resolved Stokes parameters measurements. The response time of this manipulation is about 40 μ s. The magnetic field high-speed switching and the dynamic manipulation capabilities of this method will be particularly useful for controlling light propagation through complex media and speed up the measurement of the properties of media.
Vector beams with spatially varying polarization distribution in the wavefront plane have received increasing attention in recent years. The manipulation of vector beams both in intensity and polarization distributions is highly desired and under development. In this work, we study the transmission property of vector beams through warm rubidium vapor and realize controllable transmission of vector beams based on atomic dichroism. By utilizing the linearly polarized beam and vector beams as the pump and probe beams in a pump–probe configuration, a spatially-dependent dichroism can be obtained, which leads to spatially varied absorption of the probe beam. The controllable intensity distribution of the probe beam, as a two-petal pattern, can rotate with the variation of the pump beam's polarization states. We experimentally demonstrate the mechanism of dichroism with linear polarization light and provide an explanation based on the optical pumping effect. Alternatively, the varying trend of the probe beam's intensity is also interpreted by utilizing the Jones matrix. Our results are thus beneficial for providing potential applications in optical manipulation in atomic ensembles.
Vector beams (VBs) with potential applications are successfully utilized in many fields as light sources with a spatially-varying polarization profile in recent years. Here, we study the transmission of a VB by manipulating atomic polarization via the optical pumping effect. By using hybridly and radially polarized beams as pump and probe beams in a counter-propagating configuration, we observe a four-petal pattern intensity distribution of probe beam, and the four-petal pattern rotates with the polarization state orientation of the pump beam. The results show a polarization dependent absorption in the atomic media. We experimentally demonstrate the absorption characteristics under different polarization combinations of pump and probe beams. The Jones matrix method is used to explain this phenomenon and the simulations are consistent with the experimental observation. Our results may provide a sound foundation for applications in optical manipulation and quantum information in atomic ensembles.
Results of a fairly straightforward experiment on resonant magneto-optical rotation by rubidium-87 atoms revealed strong time-dependence of the polarization plane of light emerging from atomic vapors following a sudden irradiation with a laser beam. The rotation of the plane appears as a not direct consequence of the influence of the magnetic field on atoms. Reported measurements conducted using a vapor cell without any buffer gas or an anti-relaxation wall coating show that transmitted light has initially the same (linear) polarization as the incident one. Rotation of the polarization plane caused by an axial magnetic field develops in time scales similar to the pace of establishing the optical pumping/relaxation equilibrium in the atomic ensemble. The traditional passive Faraday rotation picture providing working description for the resonant magneto-optical effects in steady-state conditions does not explain the observed sequence of evolution of the polarization. The picture has to be augmented with analysis of time dependence in the spatial distribution of relevant quantum states within the atomic ensemble as well as longitudinal and transversal intensity profiles of the light beam. Isolation of external effects caused by the optical pumping and relaxation processes from consequences of internal atomic coherences should uncover more details of mechanisms of the latter in the presence of magnetic field. Plentitude of data available from time-dependent polarization measurements provides strong incentives for further development and tests of comprehensive models of coherent interactions of atomic ensembles with radiation and possibly a base for additional advance in understanding and applications of these phenomena.
Vector beam propagation through a four-level tripod atomic system has been investigated. The three transitions of the tripod atomic system are coupled by a strong control field and the two constituent orthogonally polarized components of a weak probe vector beam. An external magnetic field induces anisotropy, creating a difference in the refractive indices of the two polarization components of the beam. This difference in refractive indices varies with the magnetic field strength and directly relates to the polarization orientation at any transverse plane. Thus, the transverse polarization structure can be rotated as desired with appropriate magnetic field strength. We further study the effect of nonlinearity and inhomogeneous broadening on the vector beam's polarization rotation. Therefore, the mechanism of efficient polarization control and manipulation of a vector beam can open up a new avenue for high-resolution microscopy and high-density optical communications.
Whether in art or physics, two dimensions are better than one. And in this context, we consider the spatial shaping of optical fields and atomic polarisations. This work begins with a comprehensive review of how to accurately and arbitrarily modulate transverse beam profiles using six different methods. The methods are presented in the context of a general complex input beam and the shaping and measuring of the input beam with a single SLM is discussed and demonstrated. A simple setup is then considered that allows for the rapid switching between arbitrary profiles, using only a single holo- graphic component and an acousto-optical modulator (AOM). In this setup, a switching speed of approximately 10 kHz is demon- strated explicitly, limited by the current detection system, but where speeds of up to 20 MHz are estimated to be possible. The following discussion then concentrates on the spatial structure of atoms, reviewing the conceptual tools needed to measure and interpret an atomic cloud in the presence of a mag- netic field from fundamental concerns, both in theory and in practice: assuming a classical light field and a quantum atomic system. The specific implementation of both a magneto-optical trap and a holographically-shaped dynamic dark SpOT follows. The crux of the work then concerns how polarisation-structured light can be used to create spatial patterns of transparency (spa- tial EIT) within an atomic cloud. Beginning with a review of EIT in general, with particular focus on an F = 1 → F = 0 transition, the spatial modulation of absorption, dispersion, polarisation rotation and change in ellipticity is predicted for systems in the presence of a transverse magnetic field. The depth of this mag- netic field dependency is then explored in some detail, where the relationship between observed patterns and applied magnetic field suggests the possibility of a visual magnetometer. The final section then considers how linearly polarised light and a q-plate was used to demonstrate spatially dependent transparency in a real atomic cloud.