Dresden 2011 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 26: Quantum Information: Atoms and Ions 2

Q 26.8: Talk

Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 12:30–12:45, HÜL 386

Pulsed coherent Rydberg excitation in a thermal gas of Rb — •Bernhard Huber, Thomas Baluktsian, Andreas Kölle, Harald Kübler, Michael Schlagmüller, Renate Daschner, Alban Urvoy, Robert Löw, and Tilman Pfau — 5. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart

The Rydberg blockade effect is a promising candidate for the realization of quantum devices. For this, fully coherent dynamics in the atom-light-system is required. Our approach utilizes thermal atomic vapor in a small glass cell which offers multiple advantages in terms of scalability and ease of use compared to ultracold atomic systems. However, the limited coherence time of a thermal gas requires excitation on the nanosecond timescale, corresponding to Rabi frequencies of up to 1 GHz.

In our setup a two-photon-excitation is used to address the Rydberg level via an intermediate state. In order to produce fast enough dynamics between the ground and Rydberg state the upper transition is driven by a bandwidth-limited pulsed laser amplifier.

We present time-resolved measurements of Rabi oscillations involving a Rydberg state in a thermal gas of Rb. This implies the feasibility of coherent control of thermal atomic systems including Rydberg levels.