Angular Momentum Coupling and Rabi Frequencies for Simple Atomic Transitions
Abstract
Description
The Rabi frequency (coupling strength) of an electric-dipole transition is an important experimental parameter in laser-cooling and other atomic physics experiments. Though the relationship between Rabi frequency and atomic wavefunctions and/or atomic lifetimes is discussed in many references, there is a need for a concise, self-contained, accessible introduction to such calculations suitable for use by the typical student of laser cooling (experimental or theoretical). In this paper, I outline calculations of the Rabi frequencies for atoms with sub-structure due to orbital, spin and nuclear angular momentum. I emphasize the physical meaning of the calculations.
The following article has been submitted to the American Journal of Physics. After it is published, it will be found at http://scitation.aip.org/ajp
The following article has been submitted to the American Journal of Physics. After it is published, it will be found at http://scitation.aip.org/ajp