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Nonlinear Optics in a Thermal Rb Vapour at High Magnetic Fields

WHITING, DANIEL,JAMES (2017) Nonlinear Optics in a Thermal Rb Vapour at High Magnetic Fields. Doctoral thesis, Durham University.

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Abstract

We present investigations of nonlinear optical phenomena using a $^{87}$Rb thermal vapour in a high magnetic field. The magnetic field (of strength 0.6~T) separates the optical transitions by more than their Doppler-broadened linewidths. This technique provides a high level of control over thermal-vapour systems, which can be used as a simpler alternative to conventional state-preparation methods such as optical pumping.
Using this approach, we study electromagnetically induced transparency in a non-degenerate 3-level ladder system. Finding excellent agreement with the numerically modelled transmission spectra, we are able to directly infer the dipole moment of the 5P$_{3/2}\to$5D$_{5/2}$ transition $|\langle5P_{3/2}||er||5D_{5/2}\rangle|= (2.27\pm0.002_{\rm stat}\pm0.04_{\rm syst})~ea_{0}$.
Changing the coupling field to a standing-wave geometry, we observe resonant enhanced absorption: an effect that previously had only been observed in systems involving 4 or more atomic states.
We also consider four-wave mixing (FWM) in a diamond level-scheme. Compared to the zero magnetic field case, we find good agreement with the FWM spectra using a simple model, even in the regime of strong laser dressing.
Finally, we investigate heralded single-photon generation by spontaneous FWM. With strong laser dressing we observe the appearance of collective quantum beats, a single-photon interference effect due to the relative motion of atoms in a collective spin excitation. A violation of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality by 6.7 standard deviations is reported.

Item Type:Thesis (Doctoral)
Award:Doctor of Philosophy
Keywords:Quantum Optics, Nonlinear Optics, Single Photon, Atom Light Interaction, FWM, Four Wave Mixing, EIT, Electromagnetically Induced Transparency, EIA, Electromagnetically Induced Absorption, Magnetic Field, Zeeman.
Faculty and Department:Faculty of Science > Physics, Department of
Thesis Date:2017
Copyright:Copyright of this thesis is held by the author
Deposited On:11 Oct 2017 12:26

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