Shortcut to adiabatic passage in two and three level atoms

Abstract: We propose a method to transfer the population and control the state of two-level and three-level atoms speeding-up Adiabatic Passage techniques while keeping their robustness versus parameter variations. The method is based on supplementing the standard laser beam setup of Adiabatic Passage methods with auxiliary steering laser pulses of orthogonal polarization. This provides a shortcut to adiabaticity driving the system along the adiabatic path defined by the standard setup.