Application of electro-optically generated light fields for Raman spectroscopy of trapped cesium atoms

摘要

We present an apparatus for generating a multi-frequency laser field to coherently couple the F = 3 and F = 4 ground state of trapped cesium atoms through Raman transitions. We use a single frequency diode laser and generate sidebands by means of a 9.2 GHz electro-optic modulator. With an interferometer, we separated the sidebands and carrier, sending them to the trapped atoms in opposite directions. The Rabi oscillation of the populations of F = 3 and F = 4 is monitored. We find that due to destructive quantum interference of two simultaneous Raman transitions the expected Rabi frequency is reduced by a factor that is in quantitative agreement with theoretical expectations. It is demonstrated how this interference can be suppressed experimentally. Besides, we demonstrate the application of the setup for Raman spectroscopy of Zeeman sub-levels and of the vibrational states of a small number of trapped atoms.