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Characterizing the spin state of an atomic ensemble using the magneto-optical resonance method

B Julsgaard1, J Sherson1, J L Sørensen1 and E S Polzik2

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Quantum information protocols utilizing atomic ensembles require preparation of a coherent spin state (CSS) of the ensemble as an important starting point. We investigate the magneto-optical resonance method for characterizing a spin state of caesium atoms in a paraffin coated vapour cell. Atoms in a constant magnetic field are subject to an off-resonant laser beam and an RF magnetic field. The spectrum of the Zeeman sub-levels, in particular the weak quadratic Zeeman effect, enables us to measure the spin orientation, the number of atoms, and the transverse spin coherence time. Notably the use of 894 nm pumping light on the D1 line, ensuring the state F = 4, mF = 4 is a dark state, helps us to achieve spin orientation of better than 98%. Hence we can establish a CSS with high accuracy, which is critical for the analysis of the entangled states of atoms.


PACS

03.67.-a Quantum information

32.60.+i Zeeman and Stark effects

42.50.Dv Quantum state engineering and measurements

Subjects

Atomic and molecular physics

Computational physics

Optics, quantum optics and lasers

Quantum information and quantum mechanics

Dates

Issue 1 (January 2004)

Received 17 June 2003, accepted for publication 8 September 2003

Published 25 September 2003



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