Internal-quantum-state engineering using magnetic fields - art. no. 023408

We present a general, semi-classical theory describing the interaction of a n atom with an internal state consisting of a number of degenerate energy l evels with static and oscillating magnetic fields. This general theory is a pplied to the P-3(2) metastable energy level of neon to determine the dynam ics of the populations and coherences that are formed due to the interactio n Through these calculations we demonstrate how the interaction may be used for the internal state preparation of an atom.