Methods and apparatus for controlled generation of hyperfine polarizations and coherences

US8879059B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Richard E. Stoner · Framingham, US
• Joseph M. Kinast · Arlington, US
• Antonije M. Radojevic · Mamaroneck, US
• Brian P. Timmons · Milford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 16, 2012
• Grant date: Nov 4, 2014
• Expiry date: May 12, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01V7/00
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and apparatus that provide for precise and continuously-controlled generation of hyperfine polarizations and coherences in samples of laser cooled atoms. In one example, coherent population trapping induced by Raman pulses with preselected parameters (such as phase and duration) is employed as a mechanism for producing well-controlled atomic coherences and polarizations. In one example, these coherences and polarizations are used to provide precision polarization references for normalization of polarization readout measurements, and/or to provide precision phase references for phase storage or phase comparison.