US6097532A
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Method for producing electromagnetically induced transparency in atoms with hyperfine structure
Assignee: Leland Stanford Junior University
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Filing: 1998-10-30
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Granted: 2000-08-01
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Expires: 2018-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in atoms with hyperfine structure. EIT is the phenomenon in which a material (e.g. lead vapor) becomes transparent to a first electromagnetic frequency (a probe beam) when exposed to a second electromagnetic frequency (a coupling beam). In the present invention, the atom has hyperfine split energy levels. In the method of the present invention, the coupling and probe beams are tuned to transitions between the centers of gravity (COGs) of the hyperfine split levels. This allows high transparencies to be achieved in high opacity materials. Also, the present method can produce EIT in isotopically mixed materials. This is because the COGs of hyperfine split levels (in nuclear spin NOTEQUAL 0 atoms) are generally coincident with nonhyperfine split levels (in nuclear spin=0 atoms). The method of the present invention is directly applicable to nonlinear sum and difference frequency generation.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen E. Harris
- 👤 Andrew J. Merriam
- 👤 Scott J. Sharpe
- 👤 Hui Xia
- 👤 Guang-Yu Yin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/353; G02F1/3534; G02F1/3515
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for producing electromagnetically induced transparency in atoms of an isotope having nonzero nuclear spin, the method comprising the steps of: a) selecting the isotope such that the atoms of the isotope have electronic levels (|1>, |2>, and |3>, wherein: I) level |1> has the lowest energy of levels |1>, |2> and |3>; II) a transition between level |2> and level |1> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |1> and level |3> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |2> and level |3> is dipole allowed; and V) at least one of levels |1>, |2> and |3> is hyperfine split; VI) levels |1>, |2>, and |3> each have a center of gravity, hereinafter referred to as COG |1>, COG|2>, and COG |3>, respectively; b) applying to the atoms a coupling beam, wherein the coupling beam is substantially resonant with a first transition that extends between the COG |2> and the COG |3>; c) applying to the atoms a probe beam, wherein the probe beam is substantially resonant with a second transition that extends between the COG |1> and the COG |3>.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for producing electromagnetically induced transparency in atoms of an isotope having nonzero nuclear spin, the method comprising the steps of: a) selecting the isotope such that the atoms of the isotope have electronic levels (|1>, |2>, and |3>, wherein: I) level |1> has the lowest energy of levels |1>, |2> and |3>; II) a transition between level |2> and level |1> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |1> and level |3> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |2> and level |3> is dipole allowed; and V) at least one of levels |1>, |2> and |3> is hyperfine split; VI) levels |1>, |2>, and |3> each have a center of gravity, hereinafter referred to as COG |1>, COG|2>, and COG |3>, respectively; b) applying to the atoms a coupling beam, wherein the coupling beam is substantially resonant with a first transition that extends between the COG |2> and the COG |3>; c) applying to the atoms a probe beam, wherein the probe beam is substantially resonant with a second transition that extends between the COG |1> and the COG |3>.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 wherein COG |3> has a higher energy than COG |2>, and further comprising the step of detuning the coupling beam from the first transition and detuning the probe beam from the second transition such that a frequency difference between the coupling beam and the probe beam corresponds to an energy difference between COG |1> and COG |2>.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 wherein COG |2> has a higher energy than COG |3>, and further comprising the step of detuning the coupling beam from the first transition and detuning the probe beam from the second transition such that a frequency sum of the coupling beam and the probe beam corresponds to an energy difference between COG |1> and COG |2>.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: a) COG |3> has a higher energy than COG |2>; and b) the atom has a level |k>; the method further comprising the step of applying to the atom an input beam resonant with a transition between the COG |2> and level |k>, whereby a generated beam is produced, a frequency difference between the generated beam and the input beam being equal to a frequency difference between the coupling beam and the probe beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: a) the COG |2> has a higher energy than COG |3>, and b) the atom has a level |k>, the method further comprising the step of applying to the atom an input beam resonant with a transition between the COG |2> and level |k>, whereby a generated beam is produced, a frequency difference between the generated beam and the input beam being equal to a frequency sum of the coupling beam and the probe beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a Rabi frequency of the coupling beam is larger than the largest of: a) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |2>, and b) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |3>.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a Rabi frequency of the coupling beam is at least 5 times as large as the largest of: a) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |2>, and b) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |3>.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a Rabi frequency of the coupling beam is at least 8 times as large as the largest of: a) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |2>, and b) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |3>.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the atoms are 207 Pb atoms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the coupling beam and probe beam are linearly polarized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the atoms have a thermal population distribution before the coupling beam and probe beam are applied.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
348 words
A method for producing electromagnetically induced transparency in a material comprising at least two different isotopes of the same element, the method comprising the steps of: a) selecting a first isotope with zero nuclear spin, the first isotope having electronic levels |1>, |2>, and |3> wherein: I) level |1> has the lowest energy of levels |1>, |2> and |3>; II) a transition between level |2> and level |1> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |1> and level |3> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |2> and level |3> is dipole allowed; b) selecting a second isotope with nonzero nuclear spin, the second isotope having electronic levels |4>, |5>, and |6>, wherein: I) level |4> the lowest energy of levels |4>, |5> and |6>; II) a transition between level |5> and level |4> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |4> and level |6> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |5> and level |6> is dipole allowed; V) at least one of levels |4>, |5>, and |6> is hyperfine split, VI) levels |4>, |5>, and |6> each have a center of gravity, hereinafter referred to as COG |4>, COG |5> and COG |6>, respectively; VII) the COG |4> is substantially coincident with level |1>, the COG |5> is substantially coincident with level |2>, and the COG |6> is substantially coincident with level |3>; c) incorporating the first isotope and the second isotope into the material; d) applying to the material a coupling beam, wherein the coupling beam is tuned to be substantially resonant with a first transition and substantially resonant with a second transition, wherein the first transition extends between the COG |5> and the COG |6>, and wherein the second transition extends between level |2> and level |3>; e) applying to the material a probe beam, wherein the probe beam is tuned to be substantially resonant with a third transition and substantially resonant with a fourth transition, wherein the third transition extends between the COG |4> and COG |6>, and wherein the fourth transition extends between level |1> and level |3>.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
348 words
A method for producing electromagnetically induced transparency in a material comprising at least two different isotopes of the same element, the method comprising the steps of: a) selecting a first isotope with zero nuclear spin, the first isotope having electronic levels |1>, |2>, and |3> wherein: I) level |1> has the lowest energy of levels |1>, |2> and |3>; II) a transition between level |2> and level |1> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |1> and level |3> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |2> and level |3> is dipole allowed; b) selecting a second isotope with nonzero nuclear spin, the second isotope having electronic levels |4>, |5>, and |6>, wherein: I) level |4> the lowest energy of levels |4>, |5> and |6>; II) a transition between level |5> and level |4> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |4> and level |6> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |5> and level |6> is dipole allowed; V) at least one of levels |4>, |5>, and |6> is hyperfine split, VI) levels |4>, |5>, and |6> each have a center of gravity, hereinafter referred to as COG |4>, COG |5> and COG |6>, respectively; VII) the COG |4> is substantially coincident with level |1>, the COG |5> is substantially coincident with level |2>, and the COG |6> is substantially coincident with level |3>; c) incorporating the first isotope and the second isotope into the material; d) applying to the material a coupling beam, wherein the coupling beam is tuned to be substantially resonant with a first transition and substantially resonant with a second transition, wherein the first transition extends between the COG |5> and the COG |6>, and wherein the second transition extends between level |2> and level |3>; e) applying to the material a probe beam, wherein the probe beam is tuned to be substantially resonant with a third transition and substantially resonant with a fourth transition, wherein the third transition extends between the COG |4> and COG |6>, and wherein the fourth transition extends between level |1> and level |3>.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 12 wherein level |3> has a higher energy than level |2> and COG |6> has a higher energy than COG |5>, the method further comprising the step of detuning the coupling beam and detuning the probe beam such that a frequency difference between the coupling beam and the probe beam corresponds to an energy difference between level |1> and level |2> and corresponds to an energy difference between COG |5> and COG |6>.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 12 wherein level |2> has a higher energy than level |3> and COG |5> has a higher energy than COG |6>, the method further comprising the step of detuning the coupling beam and the probe beam such that a frequency sum of the coupling beam and the probe beam corresponds to an energy difference between level |1> and level |2> and corresponds to an energy difference between COG |5> and COG |6>.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 12 wherein: a) level |3> has a higher energy than level |2>; and b) the first isotope has a level |k>; the method further comprising the step of applying to the material an input beam tuned to a transition between level |2> and level |k>, whereby a generated beam is produced, a frequency difference between the generated beam and the input beam being equal to a frequency difference between the coupling beam and the probe beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 12 wherein: a) COG |6> has a higher energy than COG |5>, and b) the second isotope has a level |k>, the method further comprising the step of applying to the material an input beam tuned to a transition between the COG |5> and level |k>, whereby a generated beam is produced, a frequency difference between the generated beam and the input beam being equal to a frequency difference between the coupling beam and the probe beam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 12 wherein: a) level |2> has a higher energy than level |3>, and b) the first isotope has a level |k>, the method further comprising the step of applying to the material an input beam tuned to a transition between level |2> and level |k>, whereby a generated beam is produced, a frequency difference between the generated beam and the input beam being equal to a frequency sum of the coupling beam and the probe beam.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 12 wherein: a) COG |5> has a higher energy than COG |6>, and b) the second isotope has a level |k>, the method further comprising the step of applying to the material an input beam tuned to a transition between COG |5> and level |k>, whereby a generated beam is produced, a frequency difference between the generated beam and the input beam being equal to a frequency sum of the coupling beam and the probe beam.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12 wherein a Rabi frequency of the coupling beam is larger than the largest of: a) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |5>, and b) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |6>.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 12 wherein a Rabi frequency of the coupling beam is at least 5 times as large as the largest of: a) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |5>, and b) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |6>.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 12 wherein a Rabi frequency of the coupling beam is at least 8 times as large as the largest of: a) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |5>, and b) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |6>.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the second isotope is 207 Pb.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the first isotope is 206 Pb.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the first isotope is 208 Pb.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the first and second isotopes are further selected such that an isotope shift between level |2> and COG |5> is less than 1/10 of the hyperfine splitting energy of level |5>.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the first and second isotopes are further selected such that an isotope shift between level |3> and COG |6> is less than 1/10 of the hyperfine splitting energy of level |6>.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 wherein atoms of the first and second isotopes have a thermal population distribution before the coupling beam and probe beam are applied.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
367 words
A method for producing electromagnetically induced transparency in a material comprising at least two different isotopes of the same element, the method comprising the steps of: a) selecting a first isotope with nonzero nuclear spin, the first isotope having electronic levels |1>, |2>, and |3> wherein: I) level |1> has the lowest energy of levels |1>, |2> and |3>; II) a transition between level |2> and level |1> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |1> and level |3> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |2> and level |3> is dipole allowed; VI) at least one of levels |1>, |2>, and |3> is hyperfine split; and VII) levels |1>, |2>, and |3> each have a center of gravity, hereinafter referred to as COG |1>, COG|2>, and COG |3>, respectively; b) selecting a second isotope with nonzero nuclear spin, the second isotope having electronic levels |4>, |5>, and |6>, wherein: I) level |4> has the lowest energy of levels |4>, |5> and |6>; II) a transition between level |5> and level |4> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |4> and level |6> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |5> and level |6> is dipole allowed; V) at least one of levels |4>, |5>, and |6> is hyperfine split, VI) levels |4>, |5>, and |6> each have a center of gravity, hereinafter referred to as COG |4>, COG|5>, and COG |6>, respectively;; VII) the COG |4> is substantially coincident with the COG |1>, the COG |5> is substantially coincident with the COG |2>, and the COG |6> is substantially coincident with the COG |3>; c) applying to the material a coupling beam tuned to be resonant with a first transition and resonant with a second transition, wherein the first transition extends between the COG |2> and the COG |3>, and wherein the second transition extends between the COG |5> and the COG |6>; d) applying to the material a probe beam tuned to be resonant with a third transition and resonant with a fourth transition, wherein the third transition extends between the COG |1> and the COG |3>, and wherein the fourth transition extends between the COG |4> and the COG |6>.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
367 words
A method for producing electromagnetically induced transparency in a material comprising at least two different isotopes of the same element, the method comprising the steps of: a) selecting a first isotope with nonzero nuclear spin, the first isotope having electronic levels |1>, |2>, and |3> wherein: I) level |1> has the lowest energy of levels |1>, |2> and |3>; II) a transition between level |2> and level |1> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |1> and level |3> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |2> and level |3> is dipole allowed; VI) at least one of levels |1>, |2>, and |3> is hyperfine split; and VII) levels |1>, |2>, and |3> each have a center of gravity, hereinafter referred to as COG |1>, COG|2>, and COG |3>, respectively; b) selecting a second isotope with nonzero nuclear spin, the second isotope having electronic levels |4>, |5>, and |6>, wherein: I) level |4> has the lowest energy of levels |4>, |5> and |6>; II) a transition between level |5> and level |4> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |4> and level |6> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |5> and level |6> is dipole allowed; V) at least one of levels |4>, |5>, and |6> is hyperfine split, VI) levels |4>, |5>, and |6> each have a center of gravity, hereinafter referred to as COG |4>, COG|5>, and COG |6>, respectively;; VII) the COG |4> is substantially coincident with the COG |1>, the COG |5> is substantially coincident with the COG |2>, and the COG |6> is substantially coincident with the COG |3>; c) applying to the material a coupling beam tuned to be resonant with a first transition and resonant with a second transition, wherein the first transition extends between the COG |2> and the COG |3>, and wherein the second transition extends between the COG |5> and the COG |6>; d) applying to the material a probe beam tuned to be resonant with a third transition and resonant with a fourth transition, wherein the third transition extends between the COG |1> and the COG |3>, and wherein the fourth transition extends between the COG |4> and the COG |6>.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 28 wherein COG |3> has a higher energy than COG |2> and COG |6> has a higher energy than COG |5>, the method further comprising the step of detuning the coupling beam and the probe beam such that a frequency difference between the coupling beam and the probe beam corresponds to an energy difference between COG |1> and COG |2> and corresponds to an energy 8 difference between COG |5> and COG |6>.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 28 wherein COG |2> has a higher energy than COG |3> and COG |5> has a higher energy than COG |6>, the method further comprising the step of detuning the coupling beam and probe beam such that a frequency sum of the coupling beam and the probe beam corresponds to an energy difference between COG |1> and COG |2> and corresponds to an energy difference between COG |5> and COG |6>.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 28 wherein: a) COG |3> has a higher energy than COG |2>; and b) the first isotope has a level |k>; the method further comprising the step of applying to the material an input beam tuned to a transition between COG |2> and level |k>, whereby a generated beam is produced, a frequency difference between the generated beam and the input beam being equal to a frequency difference between the coupling beam and the probe beam.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 28 wherein: a) COG |6> has a higher energy than COG |5>, and b) the second isotope has a level |k>, the method further comprising the step of applying to the material an input beam tuned to a transition between the COG |5> and level |k>, whereby a generated beam is produced, a frequency difference between the generated beam and the input beam being equal to a frequency difference between the coupling beam and the probe beam.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 28 wherein: a) COG |2> has a higher energy than COG |3>, and b) the first isotope has a level |k>, the method further comprising the step of applying to the material an input beam tuned to a transition between COG |2> and level |k>, whereby a generated beam is produced, a frequency difference between the generated beam and the input beam being equal to a frequency sum of the coupling beam and the probe beam.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 28 wherein: a) COG |5> has a higher energy than COG |6>, and b) the first isotope has a level |k>, the method further comprising the step of applying to the material an input beam tuned to a transition between COG |5> and level |k>, whereby a generated beam is produced, a frequency difference between the generated beam and the input beam being equal to a frequency sum of the coupling beam and the probe beam.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 28 wherein a Rabi frequency of the coupling beam is larger than the larger of: a) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |2>, b) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |3>, c) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |5>, and d) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |6>.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 28 wherein a Rabi frequency of the coupling beam is at least 5 times as large as the larger of: a) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |2>, b) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |3>, c) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |5>, and d) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |6>.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 28 wherein a Rabi frequency of the coupling beam is at least 8 times as large as the larger of: a) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |2>, b) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |3>, c) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |5>, and d) the hyperfine splitting energy of level |6>.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the first and second isotopes are further selected such that an isotope shift between COG |2> and COG |1> is less than 1/10 of the hyperfine splitting energy of level |2> and less than 1/10 of the hyperfine splitting energy of level |5>.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the first and second isotopes are further selected such that an isotope shift between COG |3> and COG |6> is less than 1/10 of the hyperfine splitting energy of level |3> and less than 1/10 of the hyperfine splitting energy of level |6>.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 28 wherein atoms of the first and second isotopes have a thermal population distribution before the coupling beam and probe beam are applied.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for providing electromagnetically induced transparency, the apparatus comprising: a) a material having atoms with electronic levels |1>, |2>, and |3>, wherein: I) level |1> has the lowest energy of levels |1>, |2> and |3>; II) a transition between level |2> and level |1> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |1> and level |3> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |2> and level |3> is dipole allowed; V) at least one of levels |1>, |2>, and |3> is hyperfine split; and VI) levels |1>, |2>, and |3> each have a center of gravity, hereinafter referred to as COG |1>, COG |2>, and COG |3>; b) a coupling laser directed toward the material, wherein the coupling laser is tuned to resonate with a first transition, wherein the first transition extends between the COG |2> and a COG |3>; c) a probe laser directed toward the material, wherein the probe laser is tuned to resonate with a second transition, wherein the second transition extends between the COG |1> and a COG |3>.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for providing electromagnetically induced transparency, the apparatus comprising: a) a material having atoms with electronic levels |1>, |2>, and |3>, wherein: I) level |1> has the lowest energy of levels |1>, |2> and |3>; II) a transition between level |2> and level |1> is dipole forbidden; III) a transition between level |1> and level |3> is dipole allowed; IV) a transition between level |2> and level |3> is dipole allowed; V) at least one of levels |1>, |2>, and |3> is hyperfine split; and VI) levels |1>, |2>, and |3> each have a center of gravity, hereinafter referred to as COG |1>, COG |2>, and COG |3>; b) a coupling laser directed toward the material, wherein the coupling laser is tuned to resonate with a first transition, wherein the first transition extends between the COG |2> and a COG |3>; c) a probe laser directed toward the material, wherein the probe laser is tuned to resonate with a second transition, wherein the second transition extends between the COG |1> and a COG |3>.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the material comprises 207 Pb.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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