J. Wang1, X. Yang1, S. Qiu1,2, M. Cao1,2, H. Gao*,11Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Quantum Information and Quantum Optoelectronic Devices, School of Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, 710049 Xi’an, China2Laboratoire Kastler... [ view full abstract ]
J. Wang1, X. Yang1, S. Qiu1,2, M. Cao1,2, H. Gao*,1
1Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Quantum Information and Quantum Optoelectronic Devices, School of Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, 710049 Xi’an, China
2Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, ENS-Université PSL, Collège de France, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
*e-mail: honggao@xjtu.edu.cn
Vector beams with spatially variant polarization have attracted much attention in recent years, with potential applications in both classical optics and quantum optics [1,2]. Atomic ensemble can provide a flexible and controllable platform for the manipulation of vector beams. In our work [3], we use a hybridly polarized vector beams as coupling beam to polarize the atoms, then, a fixed circularly polarized beam counterpropagates with the coupling beam. We find the spatial intensity distribution of the probe beam can be modulated by the hybridly polarized beam due to the optical pumping effect. The maximum intensity of probe beam corresponds to the reversely circularly polarized state of the coupling beam, while the absorption occurs at the same circularly polarized position.
Fig.1. (a) Experimental setup. (b)-(i) Experimental results. (j)-(k) Stokes parameters of probe and coupling beams.
The polarization selection transparency can be obtained in the D2 line of the 87Rb, which correspondings to the property of anisotropic media. Our counter-propagated pump-probe configuration is similar to a common saturated absorption spectroscopy (SAS) configuration. The corresponding absorption spectra with single polarization state can also interpret our experimental results. Futhermore, the information (we choose four different numbers oriented in two perpendicular directions) loaded in the probe beam could be designedly filtrated by atomic system with high extinction ratio.
The process of optical pumping effect in our configurations has potential applications in particle manipulation, quantum communication and computation. Besides the manipulation with linear optical devices, atomic ensemble provides more attractive platform for modulating the vector beams. The anisotropy and coherence of atoms are robust tools to explore more interesting interactions between the vector beams and atoms in the future.
[1] Q. Zhan, Adv. Opt. Photon. 1, 1-57 (2009).
[2] V. Parigi, V. D’Ambrosio, C. Arnold, L. Marrucci, F. Sciarrino, and J. Laurat, Nat. Commun. 6, 7706 (2015).
[3] J. Wang, X. Yang, Y. Li, Y. Chen, M. Cao, D. Wei, H. Gao, and F. Li, Photonics Res. 6(5):451-456 (2018).
Quantum information processing and computing , Fundamental science for quantum technologies
