Abstract

In this contribution we consider a three level cascade system where two lasers are used: one to couple the ground state to the intermediate state, the other one to couple the intermediate and the upper state. An example of such a system is the 1s2s ³S₁→ 1s2p ³P₂ → 1s3d ³D₃ ladder in metastable helium. Previously¹ we have experimentally demonstrated that radiation pressure can be enhanced using an extra laser (588 nm) to excite the upper transition, instead of using a 1083 nm laser alone to excite the lower one. This is due to the much smaller lifetime of the ³D₃ state compared to the ³P₂ state and the increased momentum transferred by the yellow photons.

© 1994 IEEE