We present a review of the work done with dissipative optical lattices so far. A dissipative optical lattice is achieved when a light field provides both velocity damping and spatial periodicity of ...the atomic density. We introduce the geometric properties of optical lattices using a classical model for the atoms. We discuss the Sisyphus cooling mechanism and its extension to different optical lattices, and we present the main theoretical approaches used to describe the atomic dynamics in optical lattices. The major experimental tools and studies are then discussed. This includes pump–probe spectroscopy, experiments based on fluorescence, Bragg scattering and studies of atomic interactions. We also present different phenomena occurring in the presence of an additional static magnetic field. Atomic nanolithography is finally briefly discussed as an application of optical lattices.
Recently, axionlike particle search has received renewed interest. In particular, several groups have started "light shining through a wall" experiments based on magnetic field and laser both ...continuous, which is very demanding in terms of detector background. We present here the 2sigma limits obtained so far with our novel setup consisting of a pulsed magnetic field and a pulsed laser. In particular, we have found that the axionlike particle two photons inverse coupling constant M is >8 x 10{5} GeV provided that the particle mass m{a} approximately 1 meV. Our results definitively invalidate the axion interpretation of the original PVLAS optical measurements with a confidence level greater than 99.9%.
.
In this paper, we describe in detail the BMV (
Biréfringence Magnétique du Vide
) experiment, a novel apparatus to study the propagation of light in a transverse magnetic field. It is based on a ...very high finesse Fabry-Perot cavity and on pulsed magnets specially designed for this purpose. We justify our technical choices and we present the current status and perspectives.
We report the direct observation of the nonreciprocity of the velocity of light, induced by electric and magnetic fields. This bilinear magneto-electro-optical effect appears in crossed electric and ...magnetic fields perpendicular to the light wave vector, as a refractive index difference between two counterpropagating directions. Using a high finesse ring cavity, we have measured this magnetoelectric nonreciprocity in molecular nitrogen at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure; for light polarized parallel to the magnetic field it is 2η(∥exp)(N2) = (4.7±1)×10(-23) m V(-1) T(-1) for λ = 1064 nm, in agreement with the expected order of magnitude. Our measurement opens the way to a deeper insight into light-matter interaction beyond the electric dipole approximation. We were able to measure a nonreciprocity as small as Δn =(5±2)×10(-18), which makes its observation in quantum vacuum a conceivable challenge.
In this contribution to PSAS 2010, we report on recent progress on an experiment aimed at measuring small optical directional anisotropies by frequency metrology in a high-finesse ring cavity. We ...focus on our first experimental goal, the measurement of magneto-electric effects in gases. After a review of the expected effects in our set-up, we present the apparatus and the measurement procedure, showing that we already have the necessary sensitivity to start novel experiments.
In this contribution to PSAS 2010, we report on recent progress on an experiment aimed at measuring small optical directional anisotropies by frequency metrology in a high-finesse ring cavity. We ...focus on our first experimental goal, the measurement of magneto-electric effects in gases. After a review of the expected effects in our set-up, we present the apparatus and the measurement procedure, showing that we already have the necessary sensitivity to start novel experiments.
We report on the testing and application of a compact transportable pulsed magnet system providing an average transverse field of up to 11T over a length of 50 cm. Our magnet consists of two ...interlaced long coils forming a flat X so as to leave openings at both ends while producing a maximum field of 14 T near the central intersection. It can be produced on conventional coil winding machines and exists in several versions adapted to different applications.
In this paper we present a review of the existing data on interferential mirror birefringence. We also report new measurements of two sets of mirrors that confirm that mirror phase retardation per ...reflection decreases when mirror reflectivity increases. We finally developed a computational code to calculate the expected phase retardation per reflection as a function of the total number of layers constituting the mirror. Different cases have been studied and we have compared computational results with the trend of the experimental data. Our study indicates that the origin of the mirror intrinsic birefringence can be ascribed to the reflecting layers close to the substrate.
PDF
