Abstract This tutorial introduces the theoretical and experimental basics of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in thermal alkali vapors. We first give a brief phenomenological description EIT simple three-level systems stationary atoms derive analytical expressions for optical absorption dispersion under conditions. Then we focus on how motion affects various parameters system. Specifically, analyze Doppler broadening transitions, ballistic versus diffusive atomic limited-volume...

We demonstrate an ultrastable ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ laser trap that provides tight confinement of neutral atoms with negligible optical scattering and minimal laser-noise-induced heating. Using this method, fermionic ${}^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ are stored in a 0.4 mK deep well $1/e$ lifetime 300 sec, consistent background pressure ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}\mathrm{Torr}$. To our knowledge, is the longest storage time ever achieved all-optical trap, comparable to best reported magnetic traps.

We present undergraduate-friendly instructions on how to produce light pulses propagating through warm Rubidium vapor with speeds less than 400 m/s, i.e., nearly a million times slower c. elucidate the role played by electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in producing slow and discuss achieve required experimental conditions. The optical setup is presented, details provided for preparation of pump, probe, reference size, frequency, intensity, temporal width, polarization purity....

We derive a simple formula for the heating rate that arises from quantum-diffractive background gas collisions in atom traps. This result appears to explain residual rates reported recent experiments with Cs vapor-loaded, far-detuned optical trap at $\ensuremath{\simeq}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}$ Torr [Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 5768 (1998)]. Diffractive may determine minimum achievable shallow all-optical or magnetic traps operating low temperature and high density.

We demonstrate a first simultaneous measurement of both the refractive index and attenuation coefficient (defined as sum scattering absorption coefficients) highly turbid milk milk-cream mixtures. achieve this by observing real-time reflectance profile divergent laser beam made incident on surface sample. The experiments were carried out commercial samples with fat volume concentrations 0.5 or less, 1.6, 3.3%, mixtures 10 33.3%, without any dilutions these samples. find that data are well...

We demonstrate a first simultaneous measurement of the real and imaginary parts refractive index highly turbid medium by observing real-time reflectance profile divergent laser beam made incident on surface medium. find that data are well described Fresnel theory correctly includes effect total internal reflection angle-dependent penetration into

We use an all-optical trap to confine a strongly attractive two-state mixture of lithium fermions. By measuring the rate evaporation from trap, we determine effective elastic scattering cross section 4pia(2) show that magnitude length |a| is very large, in agreement with predictions. stable against inelastic decay provided small bias magnetic field applied. For this system, s-wave interaction widely tunable at low field, and can be turned on off rapidly via Raman pi pulse. Hence, well suited...

We observe squeezing in the phase-dependent fluorescence spectra of two-level atoms that are coherently driven by a near-resonant laser field free space. In contrast to previous predictions emphasized in- and out-of-phase quadratures, we find maximum occurs for homodyne detection at phase near $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{45}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ relative exciting field. A new physical picture noise is developed incorporates quantum collapses into Bloch vector model yields very simple form...

We present measurements of the intensity dependence excited-state collisions laser-cooled 85Rb atoms involving repulsive potentials. For high intensities, collision rate decreases with increasing intensity, in accordance a simple Landau-Zener treatment dynamics.

We present a refractometer based on the principle of total internal reflection that can sensitively record, in real time, refractive index fluids over wide range indices. The device uses divergent laser beam and linear diode array, has no mechanical or optical moving parts, enabling us to achieve measurement at sensitivity level 10−6. Our does not rely interferometry, thus be compact, portable, inexpensive. To best our knowledge, this is first time noninterferometric performs real-time...

A first accurate measurement of the complex refractive index in an intralipid emulsion is demonstrated, and thereby average scatterer particle size using standard Mie scattering calculations extracted. Our method based on modeling reflectance a divergent laser beam from sample surface. In absence any definitive reference data for or highly turbid emulsions, we base our claim accuracy fact that work offers several critically important advantages over previously reported attempts. First,...

We demonstrate a two-window heterodyne method for measuring the x–p cross correlation, E*xEp, of an optical field E transverse position x and momentum p. This scheme permits independent control p resolution. A simple linear transform correlation function yields Wigner phase-space distribution. technique is useful both coherent low-coherence light sources may permit new biological imaging techniques based on coherence measurement with time gating. point out interesting analogy between...

We measure the depth of an optical atom trap using repulsive trap-loss collisions. These collisions involve excitation by a laser tuned to frequency above atomic resonance. Simple conservation energy considerations give direct quantitative measurements depth. Further analysis allows measurement escape probability as function energy. apply methods Rb traps, and use results form conclusions about ground-state hyperfine-changing

We report measurements of the intensity correlations scattered light from atoms in optical molasses. For small numbers atoms, observations are consistent with recent models Rayleigh and Raman contributions to frequency spectrum. Magnetic fields on order 100 mG significantly broaden Radiation trapping results reduction size as well broadening \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

We demonstrate, to the best of our knowledge, a first accurate empirical model for reflectance measurements from highly turbid media over full range incident angles, i.e., reflectivity values going unity in total internal reflection regime nearly zero when almost all light is transmitted. Evidence that provided by extraction particle size, followed independent verification with dynamic scattering. Our methodology direct contrast prevalent approach focusing on only critical angle region,...

We demonstrate time-resolved measurement of optical phase-space distributions as a new probe for investigating the propagation light in disordered media. Phase-space techniques measure joint transverse position and momentum distribution scattered light, are sensitive to spatially varying phase amplitude field. Using this method we investigate backscattered from random medium. The measurements indicate that weakly localized component is conjugate incident A model backscatter, based on Wigner...

We have measured light shifts, also known as AC Stark a function of laser intensity in cold Rubidium atoms by observing sub-natural linewidth gain and loss features the transmission spectrum weak probe beam passing through atomic sample. The observed energy-level shifts for magneto-optical trap (MOT) are found to be consistently higher than that obtained optical molasses (i.e., when magnetic field gradient MOT is turned off). Using simple model multilevel atom interacting with pump beams, we...

We present plans for the construction and operation of a tapered optical amplifier (TA) system seeded by single-mode, frequency-tunable, near-IR external-cavity diode laser. Our include machine drawings parts, electronic circuit diagrams, information on prices vendors. Instructions are provided how to safely couple light into out TA chip. Practical aspects handling chip discussed as well. Because many cold atom experiments require beams with Gaussian spatial profiles, measurements output...

The response of a phase-conjugate mirror (PCM) based on nondegenerate four-wave mixing to an incident photon wave packet has been calculated. In the monochromatic limit phase-compensating property PCM, which makes independent optical path length, is recovered. However, for nonzero bandwidth, PCM varies in fairly complicated manner with wave-packet length. particular, length pulse reflected from becomes sufficiently short pulses.

We present experimental evidence that the intensity correlations of light scattered from a cold-atom cloud are sensitive to presence small amounts radiation trapping in an atomic sample density 6 x 10(8)/cm3, with optical depth (for resonant beam) 0.4. This and approximately order magnitude less than on-resonance at which effects multiple scattering clouds have been previously observed [Phys. Rev. Lett. 64, 408 (1990)].

We show that one may quantitatively investigate radiative broadening of atomic transitions in the undergraduate laboratory using a traditional saturated absorption spectroscopy setup.

Using a novel heterodyne technique, we measure optical phase-space distributions in momentum and position for low-coherence light. Quantitative information is obtained simultaneously about the longitudinal transverse coherence properties as well wave-front curvature of light field. This method can be used to monitor these parameters directly signal fields scattered from samples interest, tomographic imaging.

A widely used method for determining refractive index postulates that the derivative of angular profile light reflected from sample is maximum at critical angle total internal reflection (TIR). It well-known in turbid media this "differentiation method" yields errors index. Unexplained anomalies previous error-calculations are eliminated if one uses a recent model TIR which departs traditional Fresnel theory. However we find that, practical situations, obtained by differentiation even after...