Branching ratio measurement of a Λ system in Tm3+: YAG under a magnetic field

A three-level Λ system in Tm3+ doped YAG crystal is experimentally investigated in the prospect of quantum information processing. Zeeman effect is used to lift the nuclear spin degeneracy of this ion. In a previous paper we measured the gyromagnetic tensor components and concluded that adequate magnetic field orientation could optimize the optical connection of both ground state sublevels to each one of the excited state sublevels, thus generating Λ systems. Here we report on the direct measurement of the transition probability ratio along the two legs of the Λ. Measurement techniques combine frequency selective optical pumping with optical nutation or photon echo processes.