The dynamics of spectroscopic transitions: Illustrated by magnetic resonance and laser effects

George William Series

D. Yearchuck, Yauhen Yerchak, Andrey F. Alexandrov

Quantum electrodynamic equations for magnetic resonance- and optical spectroscopic transitions have been for the first time obtained. New phenomena - stochastic electrical and magnetic spin wave resonances are predicted to be the effects of EM-field quantization.

E. Lippert, James D. Macomber

Stephan Schiller, Robert L. Byer

We present a theoretical study of optical magnetic-resonance imaging (OMRI), an extension of magnetic-resonance imaging to the optical frequency domain. OMRI images the spatial distribution of centers with field-dependent optical transitions by projection reconstruction from multiple tomographic scans. Spatial resolution is limited by magnetic-field gradient strengths and transition linewidths. These restrict the choice of systems accessible to OMRI, and rare-earth ions are identified as possible candidates. High-resolution laser spectroscopic techniques that overcome the effect of inhomogeneous broadening of electronic transitions are discussed. OMRI by transient hole-burning spectroscopy is presented as one approach for subwavelength spatial imaging, and its sensitivity is calculated. Submicrometer spatial resolution is possible by employing very-high-field gradients (>10 T/cm) and centers exhibiting megahertz linewidths.

Ernst Lippert, James D. Macomber

Zeb W. Barber, Chad Hoyt, J. E. Stalnaker +5 more

We describe progress toward an optical lattice clock based on an even isotope of Yb. The 1S0 → 3P0 clock resonance in 174Yb is accessed through a magnetically induced spectroscopic technique. Using ≈1mT static magnetic fields and ≈10 μW of probe light power we generate Rabi frequencies of several hertz. The narrow spectroscopic features that result (< 10 Hz FWHM) require a highly stabilized laser at the clock transition wavelength of 578 nm. We describe a new all solid-state laser system that shows hertz level stability. In order to cancel the slow drift of the cavity, spectroscopy is performed on the clock transition to provide feedback to the laser. Using a Ca neutral atom frequency standard as a reference oscillator,we show high stability and an effective method for investigating clock frequency shift systematics.