Abstract

Control of quantum dynamics utilizing the coherence of optical fields has received much attention lately.¹ Of particular interest is the issue of quantum phase in a material system. In single stationary states this phase is not observable. In wave packets, which are coherent superpositions of nondegenerate states, the relative phase between eigenstates controls the shape and dynamics. This phase can be established by exciting the wave packet from a single quantum state (the “launch” state) using the coherence of a broadband laser pulse. The manufacture, control, and observation of the phase and its utilization in novel quantum applications is a great challenge.

© 1998 Optical Society of America