Atomic-state diagnostics and optimization in cold-atom experiments

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates methods for creating, observing, and optimizing superposition states in cold rubidium atoms, using Faraday rotation to characterize atomic states and improve coherence for applications like magnetometry.

Contribution

It introduces a technique for in situ characterization and optimization of atomic states in cold-atom experiments using Faraday rotation and relaxation in the dark.

Findings

Successful creation and observation of superposition states

Identification of factors affecting atomic coherence

Optimization strategies for improved atomic state stability

Abstract

We report on the creation, observation and optimization of superposition states of cold atoms. In our experiments, rubidium atoms are prepared in a magneto-optical trap and later, after switching off the trapping fields, Faraday rotation of a weak probe beam is used to characterize atomic states prepared by application of appropriate light pulses and external magnetic fields. We discuss the signatures of polarization and alignment of atomic spin states and identify main factors responsible for deterioration of the atomic number and their coherence and present means for their optimization, like relaxation in the dark with the strobe probing. These results may be used for controlled preparation of cold atom samples and in situ magnetometry of static and transient fields