title: Strong-field atomic phase matching.
abstract: We interpret a learning-control experiment with the goal of optimizing multiphoton population transfer in atomic sodium in the strong-field limit. Despite multiple experimental constraints, a learning algorithm discovers optimal pulses that can be understood in terms of a simple dynamic picture of the atom-field interaction. We show that the shaped pulses counteract the dynamic Stark-induced stimulated emission that would otherwise impede the efficient use of a pi pulse to invert a multiphoton transition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trallero-Herrero
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weinacht