Homework 4

Due in class on Nov. 9

Be sure to show your work and explain what you are doing. (Correct
answers, for which we cannot follow the work, are worth no credit).
You are encouraged to use math softwares. But once again, please
dont just give one big equation and the final answer.
1. (20 points)
Optical trap for Na atom: If we treat the Na atom as a two level system, the AC Stark shift we
discussed in class can be used to trap Na atoms. Na atoms transition wavelength is 589 nm and the
excited state lifetime is = 16 ns (Note = 1/). We use a = 1 m wavelength laser beam of beam
waist w0 = 20 m to form a dipole trap. The laser power is P = 2 watt.
a). Derive the AC Stark shift as a function of , detuning = - 0 and laser intensity I.
b). Assume this is a Gaussian beam propogating along the z direction. Its size changes as
2 1/2

w (z) = w0 1 + w0z 2
I(z, r) =

2P
w(z)2

, similar to the figure. Thus its intensity also varis as:

2 r2

e- w(z) , with r2 = x2 + y2 . Calculate and plot the trap potentials along z and x direction
2

in unit of temperature (K). Also calculate the trap depth.

c). When the atom tempetature is low enough (~ 0.1 trap depth), the trapping potential can be
treated as a harmonic potential. Do this approximation and calculate the vibration frequencies along
x and z directions for Na atom in the above trap.
2. (20 points)
Numerical solution of OBEs: for a two level system with initial condition gg (t=0) = 1. Assume =

HW4 2016.nb

gg

0. You may use Mathematica or other softwares.

a). Calculate the initial density matrix elements. Solve the the damping-free OBEs to show the Rabi
oscillations for ee (t). How does the coherence change as a function of time?
b). With the same initial condition, but now we are dealing with Rb atoms with a spontaneous decay
rate of =26 MHz. Calculate the ee and eg | for:
= 0.01 ,
= , and
= 10
c). What are the time scales for establishing the steady state for the above situations? Explain the
differences.

3. Velocity hole burning and Saturation Spectroscopy

(a) The saturation cell is filled with sodium which we treat as a two-level atom with a resonant
frequency of 589 nm and an excited-state lifetime of 15.9 ns. The weak probe beam and the saturation beam are both of 1 mm diameter.How much power is needed to provide a saturation beam
irradiance equal to the saturation value? With a saturation beam of this irradiance, about how
deep will the Lamb dip be, and what is its approximate width as observed in a frequency scan of the
probe laser?
(b) A common addition to a real experimental setup is an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) placed in
the path of the saturating beam. This has two purposes: (1) it permits rapid chopping of the beam, so
that a lock-in amplifier can be used to subtract the probe laser signals observed with and without the
saturating beam, and (2) it avoids problems with the formation of stationary standing waves, and
with optical feedback into the lasers. If the AOM upshifts the frequency of the saturating beam by
70 MHz, a typical value, calculate the shift in the position of the atomic resonance, as observed by
the laser operator (Hint: the answer is not 70 MHz).
(c) Real atoms are seldom two-level systems. Here we look at one effect seen in a multi-level system. Assume that the upper state has two hyperfine sublevels |b1 and |b2, which can be excited
from |a with resonant frequencies 1 and 2. In a saturation spectrometer (with no AOM), resonances
are observed at both of these frequencies, with Lamb dips of fractional size L1 and L2. In addition,
a crossover resonance can be observed in between. What is the origin of this resonance, and at what
frequency is it seen? Calculate the size of the crossover Lamb dip, on the assumption that the
transitions are only weakly driven, so that the aturationbeam does not really strongly saturate the
excitation. In all of this, assume that collisions and optical pumping produce no observable effects.
4. Saturation of absorption (Foot 7.5)

HW4 2016.nb

The 3s-3p transition of Na atom has a wavelength of = 589 nm.

(a) A trapped cloud of Na atoms has a diameter of 1 mm. Calculate the number of atoms that gives a
transmission of e-1 =0.37 for a weak (I << Isat. ) resonant beam.
(b) Determine the absorption of a beam with intensity I = Isat.