Heidelberg 2015 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 61: Ultrashort Laser Pulses II

Q 61.5: Vortrag

Donnerstag, 26. März 2015, 15:30–15:45, K/HS2

Strong quantum interferences in frequency conversion towards short vacuum-ultraviolet radiation pulses — •Patric Ackermann. and Thomas Halfmann — TU-Darmstadt, Institut für Angewandte Physik, Darmstadt, Deutschland

We present experimental data on quantum interferences in resonantly enhanced frequency up-conversion towards the vacuum-ultraviolet spectral regime. The process is driven in xenon atoms by ultrashort laser pulses. We use two simultaneous frequency conversion pathways via an excited intermediate state, i.e., fifth harmonic generation of the fundamental wavelength and four-wave mixing of the fundamental and two photons of its second harmonic wavelength. Both conversion pathways yield radiation at 102 nm. The two pathways interfere, depending on the relative phase of the fundamental and second harmonic. By appropriate choice of the phase we get constructive interference (increased conversion efficiency) or destructive interference (reduced conversion efficiency). The total conversion yield shows very pronounced constructive and destructive quantum interference with a visibility of roughly 90%. A stable and highly accurate phase control setup enables such strong quantum interferences for more than 260 oscillation cycles. In an extension of the experiment, simultaneously we also monitor laser-induced fluorescence as a measure for the excitation probability to the excited intermediate state. A small phase lag occurs between the quantum interference patterns of frequency conversion and population transfer. This is due to an additional atomic phase acquired during frequency conversion.