Velocity-selective electromagnetically-induced-transparency measurements of potassium Rydberg states

Wenchao Xu, Brian Demarco

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We demonstrate a velocity selection scheme that mitigates suppression of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) by Doppler shifts for coupling wavelengths larger than the probe wavelength. An optical pumping beam counterpropagating with the EIT probe beam transfers atoms between hyperfine states in a velocity-selective fashion. Measurement of the transmitted probe beam synchronous with chopping of the optical pumping beam enables a Doppler-free EIT signal to be detected. Transition frequencies between 5P1/2 and nS1/2 states for n=26, 27, and 28 in K39 are obtained via EIT spectroscopy in a heated vapor cell with a probe beam stabilized to the 4S1/2→5P1/2 transition. Using previous high-resolution measurements of the 4S1/2→nS1/2 transitions, we make a determination of the absolute frequency of the 4S1/2→5P1/2 transition. Our measurement is shifted by 560 MHz from the currently accepted value with a twofold improvement in uncertainty. These measurements will enable novel experiments with Rydberg-dressed ultracold Fermi gases composed of K40 atoms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number011801
JournalPhysical Review A
Volume93
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 4 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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