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Optics Express

Optically polarized selective transmission of a fractional vector vortex beam by the polarized atoms with external magnetic fields

Yujie Sun, Zhaoying Wang

Published Apr 18, 2023• 11 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We investigate the role of external magnetic fields and linearly polarized pump light, especially when their directions are parallel or vertical, on the propagation of the fractional vector vortex beams (FVVBs) through a polarized atomic system. Herein, the different configurations of external magnetic fields lead to various optically polarized selective transmissions of FVVBs with different fractional topological charge α caused by the polarized atoms, which is theoretically demonstrated by the atomic density matrix visualization analysis and experimentally explored by Cesium atom vapor. Meanwhile, we find that the FVVBs-atom interaction is a vectorial process due to the different optical vector polarized states. In this interaction process, the atomic optically polarized selection property provides potential for the realization of the magnetic compass based on warm atoms. For the FVVBs, due to the rotational asymmetry of the intensity distribution, we can observe some transmitted light spots with unequal energy. Compared with the integer vector vortex beam, it is possible to obtain a more precise magnetic field direction by fitting the different "petal" spots of the FVVBs.

DOI
10.1364/oe.487426

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We investigate the role of external magnetic fields and linearly polarized pump light, especially when their directions are parallel or vertical, on the propagation of the fractional vector vortex beams (FVVBs) through a polarized atomic system. Herein, the different configurations of external magnetic fields lead to various optically polarized selective transmissions of FVVBs with different fractional topological charge α caused by the polarized atoms, which is theoretically demonstrated by the atomic density matrix visualization analysis and experimentally explored by Cesium atom vapor. Meanwhile, we find that the FVVBs-atom interaction is a vectorial process due to the different optical vector polarized states. In this interaction process, the atomic optically polarized selection property provides potential for the realization of the magnetic compass based on warm atoms. For the FVVBs, due to the rotational asymmetry of the intensity distribution, we can observe some transmitted light spots with unequal energy. Compared with the integer vector vortex beam, it is possible to obtain a more precise magnetic field direction by fitting the different "petal" spots of the FVVBs.
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.
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.
A vector beam with the spatial variation polarization has attracted keen interest and is progressively applied in quantum information, quantum communication, precision measurement, and so on. In this letter, the spectrum observation of the rotational Doppler effect based on the coherent interaction between atoms and structured light in an atomic vapor is realized. The geometric phase and polarization of the structured beam are generated and manipulated by using a flexible and efficacious combination optical elements, converting an initial linearly polarized Gaussian beam into a phase vortex beam or an asymmetric or symmetric vector beam. These three representative types of structured beam independently interact with atoms under a longitudinal magnetic field to explore the rotational Doppler shift associated with the topological charge. We find that the rotational Doppler broadening increases obviously with the topological charge of the asymmetric and symmetric vector beam. There is no rotational Doppler broadening observed from the spectrum of the phase vortex beam, although the topological charge, and spatial profile of the beam change. This study can be applied to estimate the rotational velocity of the atom-level or molecule-level objects, measure the intensity of magnetic fields and study the quantum coherence in atomic ensembles.
At Glasgow we routinely use a variety of techniques to imprint structure in the spatial amplitude, phase and polarization of a light beam. This allows us to generate vector vortex beams at high fidelity, with applications in polarimetry and strong focusing. Vector vortex beams can also induce magnetic dipole moments in an atomic medium, in our case rubidium atoms at 100 micro Kelvin, with an orientation that depends on the local polarization direction. This affects, in a nontrivial manner, the propagation of the structured light field through the atomic medium, dependent on an external magnetic field. We show that we can retrieve the orientation of the magnetic field from the absorption of the structured light - an atomic compass.
We investigate the propagation of an optical vector vortex beam in an atomic medium featuring four-level tripod transitions, where ground-state coherence is mediated by a transverse magnetic field. The vector beam consists of left- and right-circularly polarized components, each carrying an optical vortex with opposite orbital angular momentum (OAM). We study the linear response of the medium to the vector beam in order to determine the evolution of the beam's intensity and polarization profile. We find that the beam structure undergoes significant transformations as it propagates: the transverse intensity evolves from a ring-shaped profile to a petal-like structure, while the polarization transitions between left-circular, linear, and right-circular polarizations. Furthermore, when only the right-circular polarization component (a scalar vortex) enters the medium, it parametrically generates a left-circular polarization component, transferring its OAM to the generated field. This process converts the initial vortex beam into a superposition of left- and right-circular components, forming a scalar vortex beam where both polarization components carry the same OAM.
We describe and demonstrate how 3D magnetic field alignment can be inferred from single absorption images of an atomic cloud. While optically pumped magnetometers conventionally rely on temporal measurement of the Larmor precession of atomic dipoles, here a cold atomic vapor provides a spatial interface between vector light and external magnetic fields. Using a vector vortex beam, we inscribe structured atomic spin polarization in a cloud of cold rubidium atoms and record images of the resulting absorption patterns. The polar angle of an external magnetic field can then be deduced with spatial Fourier analysis. This effect presents an alternative concept for detecting magnetic vector fields and demonstrates, more generally, how introducing spatial phases between atomic energy levels can translate transient effects to the spatial domain.