Coherent excitation of the 5D{sub 5/2} level of ultra-cold rubidium atoms with short laser pulses
- P N Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow (Russian Federation)
We demonstrate the use of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) for population transfer from the ground state to the 5D{sub 5/2} level (5S{sub 1/2} {yields} 5P{sub 3/2} {yields} 5D{sub 5/2}) in laser-cooled {sup 87}Rb atoms and examine the influence of the time delay between laser pulses, pulse height, pulse duration and frequency detuning from resonance on the efficiency of Rb atom excitation to the 5D{sub 5/2} level. In our experiments, the pulse duration was varied widely (30 - 200 ns), which allowed us to assess the effect of spontaneous decay on the population of the 5D{sub 5/2} level (natural lifetime, 300 ns). We performed numerical calculations with allowance for spontaneous decay from the 5P{sub 3/2} and 5D{sub 5/2} levels and compared the results to experimental data, which allowed the population of the 5D{sub 5/2} level to be determined. The maximum population of the 5D{sub 5/2} level in the region under excitation was 80 % of the total number of rubidium atoms. (cooling of atoms)
- OSTI ID:
- 22066667
- Journal Information:
- Quantum Electronics (Woodbury, N.Y.), Vol. 42, Issue 8; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-7818
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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