A three-step laser stabilization scheme for excitation to Rydberg levels in 85Rb

Abstract

We demonstrate a three step laser stabilization scheme for excitation to nP and nF Rydberg states in 85 Rb, with all three lasers stabilized using active feedback to independent Rb vapor cells. The setup allows stabilization to the Rydberg states 36P 3/2 -70P 3/2 and 33F 7/2 -90F 7/2 , with the only limiting factor being the available third step laser power. We study the scheme by monitoring the three laser frequencies simultaneously against a self-referenced optical frequency comb. The third step laser, locked to the Rydberg transition, displays an Allan deviation of 30 kHz over 1 second and <80 kHz over 1 hour. The scheme is very robust and affordable, and it would be ideal for carrying out a range of quantum information experiments.

Three-photon electromagnetically induced transparency using Rydberg states

“…Recent experiments have demonstrated Rydberg spectroscopy based on population transfer [10,11], and similar coherent processes have been studied theoretically [12].…”

“…Multi-photon excitation schemes are of particular interest because they can eliminate motional dephasing of dark state polaritons [9] and allow Rydberg states to be accessed using inexpensive and convenient diode laser systems. Recent experiments have demonstrated Rydberg spectroscopy based on population transfer [10,11], and similar coherent processes have been studied theoretically [12].…”

Optical frequency synthesizer for precision spectroscopy of Rydberg states of Rb atoms

“…The direct frequency measurements of the nP and nF Rydberg states of 85 Rb have also been demonstrated using three laser frequencies, which are locked to the Rydberg transitions, and measured using a comb. 23) However, to the best of our knowledge, the results reported here are the first direct frequency measurements of the nS (n = 60-90) and nD (n = 53-92) Rydberg states of 87 Rb with a 3-fold reduction in uncertainty using the optical synthesizer. The present synthesizer can generate a high frequency-accurate and frequency-tunable 480 nm laser beam, and is useful for the high-resolution spectroscopy of the Rydberg states of Rb, which we use for our experiments 24) regarding quantum simulation using cold Rydberg atoms.…”

“…The high-resolution spectroscopy of Rydberg states is possible by observing the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectrum in an atomic vapor cell. [18][19][20][21][22][23] In previous reports, 22) these absolute transition frequencies of nS (n = 19-65) and nD (n = 19-57) 87 Rb Rydberg states were measured using a wavemeter and a comb with an uncertainty of less than 800 kHz. The direct frequency measurements of the nP and nF Rydberg states of 85 Rb have also been demonstrated using three laser frequencies, which are locked to the Rydberg transitions, and measured using a comb.…”

Spectroscopy of the 85Rb 4 D3/2 state for hyperfine-structure determination

“…In addition, a third laser, also at a NIR wavelength accessible with a diode laser, can be added to excite atoms in 4D J -states further up into Rydberg states [21][22][23][24]. This method is effective in studies on all-optical three-photon Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency [25,26], preparation of molecular states formed by Rydberg atoms with neutral atoms [27,28] and ions [29][30][31] as well as excitation of Rydberg states with orbital quantum number ℓ > 3 [32][33][34].…”