Coherent optical two-photon resonance tomographic imaging in three dimensions

TL;DR

This paper introduces an optical method for three-dimensional imaging of atomic coherence using two-photon Raman transitions, achieving high spatial resolution and enabling applications in quantum information and electromagnetic field sensing.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel optical tomography technique that reconstructs 3D atomic coherence profiles with high resolution using a single heterodyne measurement, advancing quantum diagnostics.

Findings

Achieved 3D coherence imaging with 14x14x36 μm^3 resolution.

Demonstrated the method's applicability to transparent media with resonance structures.

Provided a robust tool for atom-based quantum sensing and electromagnetic field imaging.

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging is a three-dimensional imaging technique, where a gradient of the magnetic field is used to interrogate spin resonances with spatial resolution. The application of this technique to probe the coherence of atoms with good three-dimensional resolution is a challenging application. We propose and demonstrate an optical method to probe spin resonances via a two-photon Raman transition, reconstructing the 3D-structure of an atomic ensemble's coherence, which is itself subject to external fields. Our method relies on a single time-and-space resolved heterodyne measurement, allowing the reconstruction of a complex 3D coherence profile. Owing to the optical interface, we reach a tomographic image resolution of $14\times14\times36$ $\mu\mathrm{m}^3$. The technique allows to probe any transparent medium with a resonance structure and provides a robust diagnostic tool for atom-based quantum information protocols. As such, it is a viable technique for application to magnetometry, electrometry, and imaging of electromagnetic fields.