Electromagnetically Induced Transparency

REU Student: Eric Schultz   

Research Advisor:  Dr. Brett DePaola

Kansas State University Physics Department  REU Program, Sponsored by NSF

 

 

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What is Electromagnetically Induced Transparency?

“a technique for eliminating the effect of a medium on a propagating

beam of electromagnetic radiation.”

This means one can make opaque media transparent to resonant laser radiation

 

 

 

 

 

How does this work?

We use quantum interference, A quantum effect that causes excitation paths to destructively interfere

This allows probe beam to pass through medium without absorption

 

 

The Setup

Coupling and probe beam are counter propagating

Two ˝ wave plates are adjusted until beam polarizations are orthogonal

Beam splitter separates beams

Probe beam is sent to photo detector to detect EIT

Power of Beams at Rb cell

  • Probe 3-12mW

  • Coupling 16mW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lectures:

Dr. Weaver gave lectures on the following topics: 

  • Diffraction

  • Geometrical optics
  • Lasers and interferometers
  • Quantum mechanics 2: Bound states and quantum numbers
  • Non-linear optics 1
  • Non-linear optics 2
  • How atoms make and break molecules
  • Atoms in solids: semiconductor lasers
  • Bell’s inequalities and “quantum entanglement”
  • Thermodynamics
  • The Standard Model
  • The experimental basis for the Standard Model
  • E&M, Relativity, Strings and all that

Other Activities: 

  • Traveled to the Konza Prairie for buffalo burgers with the Biology REU students
  • Barbecue with Math REU students
  • A Machine-shop class
  • SUROP discussion on grad school
  • SUROP discussion on financial support for grad school
  • Went to Larry’s house for a Nepali dinner cooked by Rakshya
  • Canoe trip down the Blue

 

Ethics Class:

Every Monday we discussed the ethics of science from 4-5:00pm

We covered:

  • Deantic and Consequential reasoning
  • When to make suggestions on public policy
  • The ethics code of the American Physical Society
  • Analyzed situations graduate students face

 

About me:

I attend the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where I’m a double major in Physics and Math.  I have prior research experience working with Frequency Resolved Optical Gating (FROG) in the femto-second laser laboratory at UWSP.

Useful Links: 

AMO Physics at JMR

American Physical Society Statements on Ethics

American Institute of Physics

K-State Physics

NSF

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

 

© Eric M. Schultz, 2007, Kansas State University Dep. of Phys.