title: Robust population transfer by stimulated raman adiabatic passage in a Pr3+:Y2SiO5 crystal.
abstract: We report on the experimental implementation of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) in a Pr3+:Y2SiO5 crystal. Our data provide clear and striking proof for nearly complete population inversion between hyperfine levels in the Pr3+ ions. The transfer efficiency was monitored by absorption spectroscopy. Time-resolved absorption measurements serve to monitor the adiabatic population dynamics during the STIRAP process. Efficient transfer is observed for negative pulse delays (STIRAP), as well as for positive delays. We identify the latter by an alternative adiabatic passage process.
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich Physik, Universität Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Strasse, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany. jeklein@physik.uni-kl.de
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beil
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Halfmann