Quantum-nondemolition measurements using cold trapped atoms: Comparison between theory and experiment

Alice Sinatra (1) , Jean-François Roch (2) , Karine Vigneron (2) , Philippe Grelu (2) , Jean-Philippe Poizat (2) , Kaige Wang (3) , Philippe Grangier (2)

1 Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università
2 Laboratoire Charles Fabry de l'Institut d'Optique / Optique quantique
3 BNU - Beijing Normal University

In this paper we present a detailed theoretical analysis of a recent quantum-nondemolition experiment in optics using cold atoms in a magneto-optical trap as a nonlinear medium. A signal beam and a meter beam from two independent lasers are coupled within a Λ-type three-level scheme in the D1 line of 87Rb atoms. The experimental results for the relevant quantum correlations of the fields, that represent up to now the best achievements for a single back-action evading measurement, are found in a remarkably good agreement with the theoretical predictions from a fully quantum model for three-level atoms in a doubly resonant cavity.

Domains: Physics [physics]; Quantum Physics [quant-ph]

Alice Sinatra, Jean-François Roch, Karine Vigneron, Philippe Grelu, Jean-Philippe Poizat, et al.. Quantum-nondemolition measurements using cold trapped atoms: Comparison between theory and experiment. Physical Review A : Atomic, molecular, and optical physics, 1998, 57, pp.2980. ⟨10.1103/PhysRevA.57.2980⟩. ⟨hal-00558983⟩