Spatio-temporal coherent control of atomic systems: weak to strong field transition and breaking of symmetry in 2D maps

• Published in: Journal of physics. B, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics Vol. 41; no. 7; pp. 074008 - 074008 (9)
• Main Authors: Suchowski, H, Natan, A, Bruner, B D, Silberberg, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 14.04.2008
• ISSN: 0953-4075; 1361-6455
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-4075/41/7/074008

Coherent control of resonant and non-resonant two-photon absorption processes was examined using a spatio-temporal pulse-shaping technique. By utilizing a combination of temporal focusing and femtosecond pulse-shaping techniques, we spatially control multiphoton absorption processes in a completely deterministic manner. Distinctive symmetry properties emerge through two-dimensional mapping of spatio-temporal data. These symmetries break down in the transition to strong fields, revealing details of strong-field effects such as power broadenings and dynamic Stark shifts. We also present demonstrations of chirp-dependent population transfer in atomic rubidium, as well as the spatial separation of resonant and non-resonant excitation pathways in atomic caesium.