An experiment on multiple pathway quantum interference for the advanced undergraduate physics laboratory
Clark Vandam, Aaron Hankin, A. Sieradzan, and M.D. Havey

TL;DR
This paper details an undergraduate physics lab experiment exploring multiple-path quantum interference using cesium atoms, demonstrating how interference affects transition amplitudes and providing a practical, educational approach to complex atomic physics concepts.
Contribution
It introduces a feasible experimental setup for undergraduates to study quantum interference effects in atomic transitions, combining experimental and theoretical analysis.
Findings
Strong spectral variation due to interfering amplitudes observed
Hyperfine component strengths determined in cesium transition
Experiment demonstrates quantum interference effects clearly
Abstract
We present results on a multiple-optical-path quantum interference project suitable for the advanced undergraduate laboratory. The experiments combine a conceptually rich set of atomic physics experiments which may be economically developed at a technical level accessible to undergraduate physics or engineering majors. In the experiments, diode-laser driven two-quantum, two-color excitation of cesium atoms in a vapor cell is investigated and relative strengths of the individual hyperfine components in the transition are determined. Measurement and analysis of the spectral variation of the two quantum excitation rate clearly shows strong variations due to interfering amplitudes in the overall transition amplitude. Projects such as the one reported here allow small teams of undergraduate students with combined interests in experimental and…
Peer Reviews
No public reviews on file for this paper yet. If you reviewed it on a platform where reviews are public (OpenReview, ICLR, NeurIPS, ICML), you can paste yours below so the community can read it here.
Videos
No videos yet. Explain this paper in a talk, walkthrough, or lecture? Add one.
Taxonomy
TopicsCold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates · Quantum optics and atomic interactions · Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
