A Genetic Search in Frequency Space for Stabilizing Atoms by High-Intensity Laser Fields

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to explore the power of stochastic search methods, in particular genetic algorithms, to solve a challenging problem in experimental physics. The problem is to find an optimum frequency to stabilize atoms by high-intensity laser fields. The standard approach to search for optimal laser parameters has been by trial and error. This is the first known application of a genetic algorithm technique to model atomic stabilization. Genetic algorithms worked well for this problem as a way to automate the search in a time efficient manner. A parallel platform is used to perform the genetic search efficiently. Locating the best frequency to achieve a suppression of ionization, which is predicted to occur at high intensities, can help design a laboratory experiment and tune to that frequency in order to identify a stabilization effect. The genetic algorithms did successfully identify this optimum frequency. It is indeed possible to extend the number of unknown tunable laser parameters, beyond searching merely over frequency space. For instance, optimal pulse shape and pulse duration can also be included. While conducting such a search in multi-dimensional parameter space, parallel genetic algorithms can offer an advantage to the tedious trial and error procedures.