QED-Modified Radiative Properties and Dynamics of Cold Atoms Moving through an Evanescent Wave
Measurements of the radiative properties of cold {sup 87}Rb atoms close to a dielectric/vacuum interface are reported. This is the first observation of a quantum-electrodynamic (QED) modification of radiative properties in vacuum near a dielectric surface. Evanescent wave (EW) spectroscopy on cold atoms that were dropped on a glass surface was used. An increase of the natural linewidth by up to 25% compared to the free space value was found. This was attributed to QED broadening and level shifts, as well as local Stark shifts near the surface. By varying the characteristic EW length, a position dependence characteristic for QED was observed. The role of transient internal dynamics of the atoms as they move through the strongly inhomogeneous EW was investigated.
- OSTI ID:
- 20723079
- Journal Information:
- Optics and Spectroscopy, Vol. 99, Issue 3; Other Information: Translated from Optika i Spektroskopiya , ISSN 0030-4034, 99, 477-483 (No. 3, 2005); DOI: 10.1134/1.2055944; (c) 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); TN:; ISSN 0030-400X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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