Electromagnetically Induced Transparency from a Single Atom in Free Space

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates electromagnetically induced transparency from a single trapped atom in free space, showing control over light absorption and transparency at the single-atom level with potential quantum optics applications.

Contribution

It reports the first observation of EIT from a single atom in free space using a three-level system and a focused Gaussian beam, with detailed experimental measurements.

Findings

Up to 1.3% extinction of the probe beam.

More than 75% inhibition of probe extinction due to population trapping.

Successful demonstration of EIT in free space with a single atom.

Abstract

We report an absorption spectroscopy experiment and the observation of electromagnetically induced transparency from a single trapped atom. We focus a weak and narrowband Gaussian light beam onto an optically cooled Barium ion using a high numerical aperture lens. Extinction of this beam is observed with measured values of up to 1.3 %. We demonstrate electromagnetically induced transparency of the ion by tuning a strong control beam over a two-photon resonance in a three-level lambda-type system. The probe beam extinction is inhibited by more than 75 % due to population trapping.