Quantum stochastic resonance in electron shelving

Abstract

Stochastic resonance (SR), a paradigm of the counter-intuitive role that noise may play in high sensitivity detection, can be demonstrated at the level of a single ion. The use of a SR scheme for the detection of the frequency difference of two lasers have been discussed. Quantum SR will open new experimental possibilities in precision measurements at the quantum limit. Numerical simulations of the power spectrum for experimentally accessible parameters reveal that the frequency response of the atomic system exhibits stochastic resonance.