Efficient coherent internal state transfer in trapped ions using stimulated Raman adiabatic passage

Abstract

We demonstrate experimentally how the process of Stimulated Raman Adiabatic\nPassage (STIRAP) can be utilized for efficient coherent internal state transfer\nin single trapped and laser-cooled $^{40}$Ca$^+$ ions. The transfer from the\nD$_{3/2}$ to the D$_{5/2}$ state, is detected by a fluorescence measurement\nrevealing the population not transfered to the D$_{5/2}$ state. A coherent\npopulation transfer efficiency at the level of 95 % in a setup allowing for the\ninternal state detection of individual ions in a string has been obtained.\n