Kristoffer Karlsson | Searcharxiv

arXiv2021

1.6 GHz Frequency Scanning of a 482 nm Laser Stabilized using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency

We propose a method to continuously frequency shift a target laser that is frequency stabilized by a reference laser, which is several hundreds of nanometers detuned. We demonstrate the technique using the 5S 1/2 to 5P 3/2 to 29D 5/2 Rydberg transition in 87Rb vapor and lock the 482 nm target laser to the 780 nm reference laser using the cascaded electromagnetically induced transparency signal. The stabilized frequency of the target laser can be shifted by about 1.6 GHz by phase modulating the reference laser using a waveguide-type electro-optical modulator. This simple method for stable frequency shifting can be used in atomic or molecular physics experiments that require a laser frequency scanning range on the order of several GHz.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Generation of cold Rydberg atoms at submicron distances from an optical nanofiber

We report on a controllable, hybrid quantum system consisting of cold Rydberg atoms and an optical nanofiber interface. Using a two-photon ladder-type excitation in $^{87}$Rb, we demonstrate both coherent and incoherent Rydberg excitation at submicron distances from the nanofiber surface. The 780 nm photon, near resonant to the $5S \rightarrow 5P$ transition, is mediated by the cooling laser, while the 482 nm light, near resonant to the $5P \rightarrow 29D$ transition, is mediated by the guided mode of the nanofiber. The population loss rate of the cold atom ensemble is used to measure the Rydberg population rate. A theoretical model is developed to interpret the results and link the population rate to the experimentally measured, effective Rabi frequency of the process. This work makes headway in the study of atom-surface interactions at submicron scales and the use of cold Rydberg atoms for all-fibered quantum networks and quantum simulations.

physics.atom-ph↗