Precision measurement of transition matrix elements via light shift cancellation

Area of Science:

• Atomic Physics
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Accurate atomic transition matrix elements are crucial for various applications.
• Existing theoretical values often lack the required precision.
• The ac Stark (light) shift is sensitive to these matrix elements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for accurate determination of atomic transition matrix elements.
• To measure the 5s-6p matrix elements in rubidium with unprecedented accuracy.
• To demonstrate the utility of magic-zero wavelengths for constraining matrix elements.

Main Methods:

• Measuring the ac Stark shift around "magic-zero" wavelengths where the light shift vanishes.
• Utilizing diffraction of a Bose-Einstein condensate off standing wave pulses.
• Precise measurement of light shifts at 421 nm and 423 nm in rubidium.

Main Results:

• First measurement of the 5s-6p matrix elements in rubidium.
• Determined 5s-6p(1/2) and 5s-6p(3/2) matrix elements as 0.3235(9)ea(0) and 0.5230(8)ea(0), respectively.
• Achieved accuracy an order of magnitude greater than previous theoretical values.

Conclusions:

• The presented method enables accurate determination of atomic matrix elements.
• This technique offers a pathway to obtain highly precise values for various atomic systems.
• The results are significant for applications in atomic clocks, fundamental symmetry tests, and quantum information processing.