Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Chinese Physics B

An effective pumping method for increasing atomic utilization in a compact cold atom clock*

Xinchuan Ouyang, Bowen Yang, Jianliao Deng, Jinyin Wan, Ling Xiao, Hang-Hang Qi, Qingqing Hu, Hua-Dong Cheng

Published Apr 29, 2021• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We propose a simple pumping method to increase the effective population of cold atoms in the clock state and investigate the factors which affect the pumping efficiency in cold atom systems. We report the theory and demonstrate the corresponding experiment in an 87Rb integrating sphere cold atom clock. The experimental results show that the population of cold atoms in the Zeeman sublevel |F = 2, mF = 0〉 is approximately 1.62 times that of the result using optical pumping alone. This method can also be applied to increase the effective population in any one of the target Zeeman sublevels in other cold atom systems.

DOI
10.1088/1674-1056/abfccd

Related papers

Optical-plus-microwave pumping in a magnetically insensitive state of cold atoms

Yaning Wang, Yanling Meng, Jinyin Wan +5 more

An optical-plus-microwave pumping method is implemented and optimized to pump cold atoms to a magnetically insensitive state in an integrating sphere. This method consists of several optical and microwave pulses with a proper time sequence. The relative population of cold atoms in the Zeeman sublevel $|F=1,{m}_{F}=0\ensuremath{\rangle}$ is tested by measuring the Rabi oscillations and Ramsey fringes with different numbers of optical and microwave pumping pulses, demonstrating that nearly 83% of the cold atoms can be prepared in the clock state. The number of cold atoms in the target state is up to 2.5 times more than that of the optical pumping alone. Thus, the limitation on the stability of an integrating sphere cold-atom clock from atomic noise is estimated to be from $4.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}{\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$ to $3.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}{\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$. This method is also suitable for other precision measurements with cold atoms.

Physical Review A•Feb 26, 2018•14 citations

Preliminary progress of the state preparation with a new optical pumping method in a cesium atomic fountain clock

Lei Han, Fang Fang, Yani Zuo +5 more

In this paper, a new optical pumping method, redistributing the atom populations among the Zeeman magnetic sublevels of the ground state |F=3> is proposed as the state preparation process to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the atomic fountain clock with a larger atom population on the |F=3, mF=0>clock state. A preliminary experimental result of state preparation efficiency exceeding 60% is obtained on the NIM6 cesium (Cs) fountain clock.

Quantum Optics and Photon Counting•Apr 14, 2021•0 citations

Accumulation of a clock state population by optical pumping in a caesium fountain

S.E. Park, K. Szymaniec

We have implemented a technique of optical pumping (OP) to increase the clock state populations in a caesium fountain frequency standard. Our initial experiments have demonstrated accumulation of 75% of the atoms in the mF= 0 sublevel (clock state), which can be compared to a typical 11% population of this sublevel with no additional OP applied. As the (OP) process requires scattering of some 20 photons per atom, the atomic cloud is heated by nearly 1 μK and the final number of atoms reaching the detector is reduced by up to a factor of two, depending on the molasses temperature. Using the OP technique in the NPL-CsF2 fountain we have observed a four-fold net increase of the clock state population.

•Jun 1, 2010•3 citations

State Preparation in a Cold Atom Clock by Optical Pumping

Yu-Xiong Duan, Bin Wang, Jingfeng Xiang +4 more

We implement optical pumping to prepare cold atoms in our prototype of the 87 Rb space cold atom clock, which operates in the one-way mode. Several modifications are made on our previous physical and optical system. The effective atomic signal in the top detection zone is increased to 2.5 times with 87% pumping efficiency. The temperature of the cold atom cloud is increased by 1.4 μK. We study the dependences of the effective signal gain and pumping efficiency on the pumping laser intensity and detuning. The effects of σ transition are discussed. This technique may be used in the future space cold atom clocks.

Chinese Physics Letters•Jul 1, 2017•7 citations

Zeeman optical pumping of 87 Rb atoms in a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber

Tomasz Krehlik, Artur Stabrawa, R. Gartman +3 more

Preparation of an atomic ensemble in a particular Zeeman state is a critical step of many protocols for implementing quantum sensors and quantum memories. These devices can also benefit from optical fiber integration. In this work we describe experimental results supported by a theoretical model of single-beam optical pumping of 87 Rb atoms within a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. The observed 50% population increase in the pumped F = 2, m F = 2 Zeeman substate along with the depopulation of remaining Zeeman substates enabled us to achieve a threefold improvement in the relative population of the m F = 2 substate within the F = 2 manifold, with 60% of the F = 2 population residing in the m F = 2 dark sublevel. Based on theoretical model, we propose methods to further improve the pumping efficiency in alkali-filled hollow-core fibers.

arXiv:2208.00736•Optics Letters•Oct 13, 2022•6 citations

Investigation of optical pumping in cesium atoms with circularly polarized light and radio-frequency field: a theoretical approach

Hossein Davoodi Yeganeh, Zahra Shaterzadeh‐Yazdi

Cs) atoms by applying circularly polarized light at an optimal frequency for electronic transitions from ground to excited states. To enhance control over sublevel populations following optical pumping, we incorporate a radiofrequency (RF) field. This integrated approach enables us to achieve a tailored distribution of atomic sublevel populations with high efficiency. Utilizing the Lindblad master equation, we provide a comprehensive framework for analyzing these dynamics, examining relaxation rates, repopulation processes, and the evolution of cesium Zeeman sublevels. Our findings underscore the effectiveness of the Lindblad master equation in accounting for external field effects and environmental interactions, significantly improving the accuracy and generalizability of optical pumping models. This method holds substantial promise for various applications in optical experiments, including magnetometry and quantum computing, paving the way for future advancements in these fields.

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics•Jan 1, 2025•0 citations
We propose a simple pumping method to increase the effective population of cold atoms in the clock state and investigate the factors which affect the pumping efficiency in cold atom systems. We report the theory and demonstrate the corresponding experiment in an 87Rb integrating sphere cold atom clock. The experimental results show that the population of cold atoms in the Zeeman sublevel |F = 2, mF = 0〉 is approximately 1.62 times that of the result using optical pumping alone. This method can also be applied to increase the effective population in any one of the target Zeeman sublevels in other cold atom systems.
An optical-plus-microwave pumping method is implemented and optimized to pump cold atoms to a magnetically insensitive state in an integrating sphere. This method consists of several optical and microwave pulses with a proper time sequence. The relative population of cold atoms in the Zeeman sublevel $|F=1,{m}_{F}=0\ensuremath{\rangle}$ is tested by measuring the Rabi oscillations and Ramsey fringes with different numbers of optical and microwave pumping pulses, demonstrating that nearly 83% of the cold atoms can be prepared in the clock state. The number of cold atoms in the target state is up to 2.5 times more than that of the optical pumping alone. Thus, the limitation on the stability of an integrating sphere cold-atom clock from atomic noise is estimated to be from $4.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}{\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$ to $3.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}{\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$. This method is also suitable for other precision measurements with cold atoms.
We have implemented a technique of optical pumping (OP) to increase the clock state populations in a caesium fountain frequency standard. Our initial experiments have demonstrated accumulation of 75% of the atoms in the mF= 0 sublevel (clock state), which can be compared to a typical 11% population of this sublevel with no additional OP applied. As the (OP) process requires scattering of some 20 photons per atom, the atomic cloud is heated by nearly 1 μK and the final number of atoms reaching the detector is reduced by up to a factor of two, depending on the molasses temperature. Using the OP technique in the NPL-CsF2 fountain we have observed a four-fold net increase of the clock state population.
We implement optical pumping to prepare cold atoms in our prototype of the 87 Rb space cold atom clock, which operates in the one-way mode. Several modifications are made on our previous physical and optical system. The effective atomic signal in the top detection zone is increased to 2.5 times with 87% pumping efficiency. The temperature of the cold atom cloud is increased by 1.4 μK. We study the dependences of the effective signal gain and pumping efficiency on the pumping laser intensity and detuning. The effects of σ transition are discussed. This technique may be used in the future space cold atom clocks.
Preparation of an atomic ensemble in a particular Zeeman state is a critical step of many protocols for implementing quantum sensors and quantum memories. These devices can also benefit from optical fiber integration. In this work we describe experimental results supported by a theoretical model of single-beam optical pumping of 87 Rb atoms within a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. The observed 50% population increase in the pumped F = 2, m F = 2 Zeeman substate along with the depopulation of remaining Zeeman substates enabled us to achieve a threefold improvement in the relative population of the m F = 2 substate within the F = 2 manifold, with 60% of the F = 2 population residing in the m F = 2 dark sublevel. Based on theoretical model, we propose methods to further improve the pumping efficiency in alkali-filled hollow-core fibers.
Cs) atoms by applying circularly polarized light at an optimal frequency for electronic transitions from ground to excited states. To enhance control over sublevel populations following optical pumping, we incorporate a radiofrequency (RF) field. This integrated approach enables us to achieve a tailored distribution of atomic sublevel populations with high efficiency. Utilizing the Lindblad master equation, we provide a comprehensive framework for analyzing these dynamics, examining relaxation rates, repopulation processes, and the evolution of cesium Zeeman sublevels. Our findings underscore the effectiveness of the Lindblad master equation in accounting for external field effects and environmental interactions, significantly improving the accuracy and generalizability of optical pumping models. This method holds substantial promise for various applications in optical experiments, including magnetometry and quantum computing, paving the way for future advancements in these fields.