Quantum polarization spectroscopy of ultracold spinor gases

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum polarization spectroscopy technique for detecting ground state phases of ultracold spinor gases using off-resonant light pulses, revealing signatures of different quantum phases.

Contribution

It presents a novel nondemolition measurement method to identify mean-field and strongly-correlated phases in spinor gases via polarization detection.

Findings

Identifies signatures of various quantum phases.

Demonstrates detection of quantum fluctuations and mean values.

Applicable to F=1 and F=2 spinor gases.

Abstract

We propose a method for the detection of ground state quantum phases of spinor gases through a series of two quantum nondemolition measurements performed by sending off-resonant, polarized light pulses through the gas. Signatures of various mean-field as well as strongly-correlated phases of F=1 and F=2 spinor gases obtained by detecting quantum fluctuations and mean values of polarization of transmitted light are identified.