Visualization of superposition states and Raman processes with two-dimensional atomic deflection

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to visualize atomic superposition states and Raman processes by analyzing the deflection patterns of atoms passing through standing light waves, revealing how superpositions influence atomic trajectories.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to visualize superposition states and Raman processes using atomic deflection patterns in a two-dimensional setup, combining theoretical analysis of different interaction regimes.

Findings

Deflection patterns are significantly altered by initial superposition states.

Two-dimensional atomic deflection patterns reflect the efficiency of Raman processes.

The method works for both one-photon and two-photon excitation regimes.

Abstract

Deflection of atoms in \Lambda-type configuration passing through two crossed standing light waves is proposed for probing and visualization of atomic superposition states. For this goal, we use both the large-dispersive and Raman-resonant regimes of atom-field interaction giving rise to a position-dependent phase shifts of fields and perform double simultaneous spatial measurements on an atom. In this way, it is demonstrated that the deflection spatial patterns of atoms in \Lambda-configuration passing through modes of standing waves are essentially modified if the atoms are initially prepared in a coherent superposition of its low levels states as well as when the superposition states are created during the process of deflection. The similar results take place for the joint momentum distribution of atoms. Further, considering both one-photon and two-photon excitation regimes of \Lambda-atoms we also illustrate that the two-dimensional patterns of defected atoms qualitatively reflects the efficiency of the Raman processes.