Simple Python tools for modelling few-level atom-light interactions

Downes, Lucy

Abstract

Understanding the interactions between atoms and light is at the heart of atomic physics. Being able to ‘experiment’ with various system parameters, produce plots of the results and interpret these is very useful, especially for those new to the field. This tutorial aims to provide an introduction to the equations governing near-resonant atom-light interactions and present examples of setting up and solving these equations in Python. Emphasis is placed on clarity and understanding by showing code snippets alongside relevant equations, and as such it is suitable for those without an excellent working knowledge of Python or the underlying physics. Hopefully the methods presented here can form the foundations on which more complex models and simulations can be built. All functions presented here and example codes can be found on GitHub.

Citation

Downes, L. (2023). Simple Python tools for modelling few-level atom-light interactions. Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 56(22), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6455/acee3a

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 8, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 25, 2023
• Publication Date: Nov 28, 2023
• Deposit Date: Nov 1, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 1, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
• Print ISSN: 0953-4075
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 56
• Issue: 22
• Pages: 1-17
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6455/acee3a
• Keywords: Python, thermal vapor, optical Bloch equations, atom-light interactions
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1863173