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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.06753 |
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| _version_ | 1866914754905243648 |
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| author | Karanikolaou, Teresa D. Bettles, Robert J. Chang, Darrick E. |
| author_facet | Karanikolaou, Teresa D. Bettles, Robert J. Chang, Darrick E. |
| contents | The optical properties of a fixed atom are well-known and investigated. For example, the extraordinarily large cross section of a single atom as seen by a resonant photon is essential for quantum optical applications. Mechanical effects associated with light scattering are also well-studied, forming the basis of laser cooling and trapping, for example. Despite this, there is one fundamental problem that surprisingly has not been extensively studied, yet is relevant to a number of emerging quantum optics experiments. In these experiments, the ground state of the atom experiences a tight optical trap formed by far-off-resonant light, to facilitate efficient interactions with near-resonant light. However, the excited state might experience a different potential, or even be anti-trapped. Here, we systematically analyze the effects of unequal trapping on near-resonant atom-light interactions. In particular, we identify regimes where such trapping can lead to significant excess heating, and a reduction of total and elastic scattering cross sections associated with a decreased atom-photon interaction efficiency. Understanding these effects can be valuable for optimizing quantum optics platforms where efficient atom-light interactions on resonance are desired, but achieving equal trapping is not feasible. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2401_06753 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Near-resonant light scattering by an atom in a state-dependent trap Karanikolaou, Teresa D. Bettles, Robert J. Chang, Darrick E. Quantum Physics The optical properties of a fixed atom are well-known and investigated. For example, the extraordinarily large cross section of a single atom as seen by a resonant photon is essential for quantum optical applications. Mechanical effects associated with light scattering are also well-studied, forming the basis of laser cooling and trapping, for example. Despite this, there is one fundamental problem that surprisingly has not been extensively studied, yet is relevant to a number of emerging quantum optics experiments. In these experiments, the ground state of the atom experiences a tight optical trap formed by far-off-resonant light, to facilitate efficient interactions with near-resonant light. However, the excited state might experience a different potential, or even be anti-trapped. Here, we systematically analyze the effects of unequal trapping on near-resonant atom-light interactions. In particular, we identify regimes where such trapping can lead to significant excess heating, and a reduction of total and elastic scattering cross sections associated with a decreased atom-photon interaction efficiency. Understanding these effects can be valuable for optimizing quantum optics platforms where efficient atom-light interactions on resonance are desired, but achieving equal trapping is not feasible. |
| title | Near-resonant light scattering by an atom in a state-dependent trap |
| topic | Quantum Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.06753 |