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  • Letter
  • Open Access

Quantum jump spectroscopy of a single neutral atom for precise subwavelength intensity measurements

Lorena C. Bianchet1,*, Natalia Alves1, Laura Zarraoa1, Tomas Lamich1, Vindhiya Prakash1, and Morgan W. Mitchell1,2

  • 1ICFO - Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
  • 2ICREA - Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, 08010 Barcelona, Spain

  • *lorena.bianchet@alumni.icfo.eu
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Phys. Rev. Research 4, L042026 – Published 14 November, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.L042026

Abstract

We present precise, subwavelength optical intensity measurements using a single trapped Rb87 atom as a sensor. The intensity is measured by the scalar ac Stark shift it produces on the F=1→F′=2 hyperfine transition of the D2 line, chosen for its F′=F+1 structure and very small tensor polarizability. To boost signal and reduce measurement-induced perturbations, we use a quantum jump spectroscopy technique in which a single absorbed photon on a transition of interest induces the scattering of hundreds of photons on a bright closed transition. The method greatly reduces systematic effects associated with the atomic state, optical polarization, probe power, and atom heating, and gives the atomic temperature as a second spectroscopic observable. We demonstrate the method by measuring the intensity at the focus of an optical tweezer.

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Phys. Rev. Research 4, L042026– Published 14 November, 2022
  • Received 30 May 2022
  • Revised 26 July 2022
  • Accepted 1 September 2022
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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