An experiment on multiple pathway quantum interference for the advanced undergraduate physics laboratory

Abstract

We present results on a multiple-optical-path quantum interference project suitable for the advanced undergraduate laboratory. The experiments combine a conceptually rich set of atomic physics experiments which may be economically developed at a technical level accessible to undergraduate physics or engineering majors. In the experiments, diode-laser driven two-quantum, two-color excitation of cesium atoms in a vapor cell is investigated and relative strengths of the individual hyperfine components in the $6s^{2}S_{1/2} \rightarrow 7s^{2}S_{1/2}$ transition are determined. Measurement and analysis of the spectral variation of the two quantum excitation rate clearly shows strong variations due to interfering amplitudes in the overall transition amplitude. Projects such as the one reported here allow small teams of undergraduate students with combined interests in experimental and theoretical physics to construct instrumentation, perform sophisticated experiments, and do realistic modelling of the results.