What question did this study set out to answer?

To directly observe discrete quantum jumps between atomic energy levels in an isolated single trapped ion using electron shelving detection.

June 30, 1986Physical Review Letters

Shelved optical electron amplifier: Observation of quantum jumps

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To directly observe discrete quantum jumps between atomic energy levels in an isolated single trapped ion using electron shelving detection.
Confined an individual laser-cooled barium ion (Ba+) inside a radio-frequency electromagnetic trap.
Cooled the ion and continuously monitored fluorescence by driving the 6^2S_1/2 to 6^2P_1/2 to 5^2D_3/2 transitions with two lasers.
Incoherently excited the ion to the metastable 5^2D_5/2 state via the 6^2P_3/2 intermediate level.
Excitation to the metastable 5^2D_5/2 state completely suppressed resonance fluorescence from the 6^2P_1/2 level for the state's lifetime of >30 seconds.
Fluorescence abruptly reappeared upon decay back to the ground state, producing a macroscopic random telegraph signal that directly maps the atomic quantum state.

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Implication

Experimental study demonstrates direct observation of quantum jumps in a trapped barium ion, indicating optical amplification of single atomic states.

Cite This Study

Nagourney et al. (1986) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0f59135725bbd5cc5fb016 https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.56.2797

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Implication

Experimental study demonstrates direct observation of quantum jumps in a trapped barium ion, indicating optical amplification of single atomic states.

Shelved optical electron amplifier: Observation of quantum jumps

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Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Shelved optical electron amplifier: Observation of quantum jumps

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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