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Problem Set 1

This document provides 4 problems related to quantum optics for a physics course. Problem 1 involves showing that a wavefunction transforms under a gauge transformation. Problem 2 involves solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for a 2-level atom interacting with a laser. Problem 3 involves calculating reflection coefficients for an atom interacting with light above and below a threshold. Problem 4 involves approximating the time evolution of an atom's wavefunction interacting with a standing light wave.

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20 views

Problem Set 1

This document provides 4 problems related to quantum optics for a physics course. Problem 1 involves showing that a wavefunction transforms under a gauge transformation. Problem 2 involves solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for a 2-level atom interacting with a laser. Problem 3 involves calculating reflection coefficients for an atom interacting with light above and below a threshold. Problem 4 involves approximating the time evolution of an atom's wavefunction interacting with a standing light wave.

Uploaded by

Caoimhin1234
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Physics PY 4117: Quantum Optics

Spring 2015
Dr. Andreas Ruschhaupt
Dr. Emanuele Pelucchi

Problem Set 1
1.1 (4 marks) Let (~r, t) be a solution of



1 2
i~ =
p~ + q (~r, t)
t
2m
where p~ = ~i . Let
r, t) := exp
(~


i
q (~r, t) (~r, t) .
~

is a solution of
Show that


2

1 
0
0
~

i~ =
p~ q A (~r, t) + q (~r, t)
t
2m
~ 0 = , 0 =
with A

t .

be given as
1.2 (4 marks) (Rabi oscillations) Let the Hamiltonian H


0 L
= ~
H
L 0
2
with L real. This Hamiltonian could for example descibe a two-level atom illuminated by a classical
monochromatic on-resonance laser. The ground state |1 i and the excited state |1 i are given by
 
 
1
0
|1 i =
, |2 i =
.
0
1
(a) Solve the time-dependent Schr
odinger equation
i~

|(t)i = H|(t)i
dt

with the initial condition


1
|(0)i =
2

1
1


.

(b) Calculate the probability of finding the atom in the excited state at some time t, i.e.
P2 = |h2 |(t)i|2 .

p.t.o.

calculate

1.3 (5 marks) (Atom being reflected from laser light)


Let the Rabi frequency be (x) = 0 for x < 0 and (x) = 0 > 0 for x > 0. Let us look at the stationary
Schr
odinger equation



~
~2 d2
0
(x)

E(x) =
(x)
(x)
0
2m dx2
2


2 2
1 (x)
k
and k > 0. For x < 0, let
with (x) =
, E = ~2m
2 (x)

(x) =

1
0


exp (ikx) +

R1
R2


exp (ikx)

(1)

and for x > 0



(x) = a

1
1


exp (i x) + a+

1
1


exp (i+ x)

(2)

What must be the values of and + such that (1) and (2) are solutions of the stationary Schroderinger
equation for x < 0 and x > 0 respectively. By using the condition that and d
dx are continuous at x = 0,
calculate the reflection coefficients R1 and R2 .
1.4 (7 marks) (Atom diffraction at a standing wave) An atom is moving in x direction and it hits a standing
wave (in y direction with wave vector kL ). We assume that the motion of the atom can be treated classically
and than the atom interacts with the standing wave only in the time interval [0, te ]. Moreover, we assume a
large detuning such that the time evolution of the atomic ground state 1 (t, y) can be described during
this time 0 t te by the following equation:
i~
where V0 =

~2 2
1 (t, y) =
1 (t, y) + V0 cos2 (kL y)1 (t, y)
t
2m y 2

~|0 |2
4 .

Solve this equation with the ansatz

~t
1 (t, y) =
(i) cn (t) exp i(2kL n)y i
(2kL n)2
2m
n=
n

subject to the initial condition 1 (0, y) = exp (i 0 y) = 1 using the assumption that the interaction time te
i~
2
is sufficiently small that exp 2m
4kL
t(1 2n) 1 for all 0 t te .
d
Tip: Remember the Bessel functions of first kind Jn (z), fulfilling 2 dz
Jn (z) = Jn1 (z)Jn+1 (z) and Jn (z) =
n
(1) Jn (z).

Due Date: Wednesday, 4th February


Post Box: A. Ruschhaupt, near Room 216A

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