Robust population transfer by stimulated raman adiabatic passage in a Pr3+:Y2SiO5 crystal.

TLDR: In this article, the authors report on the experimental implementation of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) in a crystal and show that the transfer efficiency was monitored by absorption spectroscopy.

Abstract: We report on the experimental implementation of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) in a ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}\mathrm{\text{:}}{\mathrm{Y}}_{2}{\mathrm{SiO}}_{5}$ crystal. Our data provide clear and striking proof for nearly complete population inversion between hyperfine levels in the ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$ 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.