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Published on: March 30, 2017
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Lasing by driven atoms-cavity system in collective strong coupling regime.
1Light and Matter Physics Group, Raman Research Institute, Sadashivanagar, Bangalore, 560080, India. rahuls@rri.res.in.
Scientific Reports
|September 14, 2017
Summary
Laser cooled atoms coupled with an optical cavity demonstrate a new type of continuous wave laser. This system, operating in strong coupling, achieves lasing red-detuned from the atomic transition, enabling novel precision measurements.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Optics
- Atomic Physics
- Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics
Background:
- The interaction between laser-cooled atoms and resonant light is governed by the natural linewidth of the excited state.
- Optical Fabry-Pérot cavities are resonant systems where optical response is dictated by cavity loss.
- Coupling these two systems offers potential for precision measurements and quantum optics applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the collective strong coupling regime between driven magneto-optically trapped atoms and an optical cavity.
- To demonstrate and characterize lasing behavior in this coupled system.
- To explore the potential for creating novel continuous-wave laser sources and precision measurement tools.
Main Methods:
- Experimental setup involving laser-cooled and trapped atoms within an optical Fabry-Pérot cavity.
- Driving the atoms to achieve collective strong coupling with the cavity mode.
- Theoretical modeling to understand the observed lasing phenomena.
Main Results:
- Observed lasing at a frequency red-detuned from the atomic transition.
- Experimental demonstration of a lasing threshold, polarization and spatial mode purity, and line-narrowing in the outcoupled light.
- Theoretical modeling shows qualitative agreement with experimental observations.
Conclusions:
- Driven atoms in collective strong coupling with an optical cavity can produce continuous-wave lasing without a seed laser.
- The observed lasing characteristics, including red-detuning and line-narrowing, are significant.
- This system opens new avenues for precision measurements and versatile quantum optics applications.
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