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Published on: November 11, 2013
Observation of Vacuum-Induced Collective Quantum Beats
Hyok Sang Han1, Ahreum Lee1, Kanupriya Sinha2,3
1Joint Quantum Institute, University of Maryland and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
Abstract:
We demonstrate collectively enhanced vacuum-induced quantum beat dynamics from a three-level V-type atomic system. Exciting a dilute atomic gas of magneto-optically trapped ^{85}Rb atoms with a weak drive resonant on one of the transitions, we observe the forward-scattered field after a sudden shut-off of the laser. The subsequent radiative dynamics, measured for various optical depths of the atomic cloud, exhibits superradiant decay rates, as well as collectively enhanced quantum beats. Our work is also the first experimental illustration of quantum beats arising from atoms initially prepared in a single excited level as a result of the vacuum-induced coupling between excited levels.
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