Efficient optical pumping of Zeeman spin levels in Nd3+:YVO4

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates efficient optical pumping of Zeeman spin levels in Nd3+:YVO4, showing tunable branching ratios and improved performance for quantum information applications.

Contribution

It introduces a method to tune the branching ratio in Nd3+:YVO4 via magnetic field orientation, enhancing optical pumping efficiency.

Findings

Branching ratio R can be tuned by magnetic field orientation.

Significant improvement in optical pumping efficiency achieved.

Nd3+:YVO4 shows promise for quantum information protocols.

Abstract

We demonstrate that Zeeman ground-state spin levels in Nd3+:YVO4 provides the possibility to create an efficient lambda-system for optical pumping experiments. The branching ratio R in the lambda-system is measured experimentally via absorption spectroscopy and is compared to a theoretical model. We show that R can be tuned by changing the orientation of the magnetic field. These results are applied to optical pumping experiments, where significant improvement is obtained compared to previous experiments in this system. The tunability of the branching ratio in combination with its good coherence properties and the high oscillator strength makes Nd3+:YVO4 an interesting candidate for various quantum information protocols.