Abstract
We demonstrate here the direct observation of quantum jumps between the state and the state of an individual laser-cooled ions contained in a radio-frequency trap. The state detection and cooling are performed by two lasers which cause transitions. Incoherent excitation to the state (via the level) causes the fluorescence from the state to be suppressed for >30-sec lifetime of that state, after which the fluorescence reappears. The resulting ‘‘telegraph signal’’ provides a direct monitor of the atomic state.
- Received 5 May 1986
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.56.2797
©1986 American Physical Society