Precision localization of single atom using Autler-Townes microscopy

Detuning of the classical standing wave field with the atomic transition pl ays an important role in the characterization of the peaks present in Autle r-Townes spontaneous spectrum of a three-level atom. We investigate how thi s detuning effects the position distribution of the atom and show that we g ain a precision in position information of the single atom inside the stand ing wave field by introducing the detuning between the atomic transition fr equency and the frequency of the driving field in the upper-level coupling case. We also show that this precision in localization of an atom is not ob served in the lower-level coupling case, due to the absence of the quantum interference. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.