Atomic frequency offset locking in a Λ type three-level Doppler broadened Cs system

We here present a comparative study of frequency stabilities of pump and probe lasers coupled at a frequency offset generated by coherent photon-atom interaction. Pump-probe spectroscopy of the Λ configuration in D₂ transition of cesium is carried out to obtain sub-natural (∼2 MHz) electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and sub-Doppler (∼10 MHz) Autler-Townes (AT) resonance. The pump laser is locked on the saturated absorption spectrum (SAS, ∼13 MHz) and the probe laser is successively stabilized on EIT and AT signals. Frequency stabilities of pump and probe lasers are calculated in terms of Allan variance σ(2,τ) by using the frequency noise power spectrum. It is found that the frequency stability of the probe stabilized on EIT is superior (σ∼2×10⁻¹³) to that of SAS locked pump laser (σ∼10⁻¹²), whereas the performance of the AT stabilized laser is inferior (σ∼6×10⁻¹²). This contrasting behavior is discussed in terms of the theme of conventional master-slave offset locking scheme and the mechanisms underlying the EIT and sub-Doppler AT resonances in a Doppler broadened atomic medium.     

High contrast <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Subscript>1</Subscript> line electromagnetically induced transparency in nanometric-thin rubidium vapor cell

The electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) on the atomic D ₁ line of rubidium is studied using a nanometric-thin cell with atomic vapor column length in the range of L=400–800 nm. It is shown that the reduction of the cell thickness by four orders as compared with an ordinary cm-size cell still allows to form an EIT resonance for L=λ=794 nm with the contrast of up to 40%. Further reduction of thickness to L=λ/2 leads to significant reduction of EIT contrast, verifying that the key parameter for EIT in wavelength-scale-thickness cells is not the value of L itself but L/λ ratio. Remarkable distinctions of EIT formation in nanometric-thin and ordinary cells are demonstrated. Well-resolved splitting of the EIT resonance in a magnetic field for L=λ can be used for magnetometry with nanometric spatial resolution. The presented theoretical model well describes the observed results.     

铯6S1/2 -6P3/2 -8S1/2阶梯型系统中超精细能级的多重电磁感应透明

基于铯原子6S_1/2 -6P_3/2 -8S_1/2的阶梯型能级系统,对室温下铯原子气室中的电磁感应透明(EIT)谱进行了研究.由于探测光的频率锁定于基态6S_1/2(F=3)到中间态6P_3/2的超精细跃迁线上,耦合光在中间态6P_3/2和激发态8S_1/2之间扫描,得到的EIT谱具有平坦的背景,提高了光谱的精度.理论上,采用了一个多能级的EIT模型,将其计算结果与所观察的实验现象进行了比较,二者符合得比较好. 关键词： 电磁感应透明 光抽运 超精细结构 阶梯型系统     

Double-resonance optical-pumping effect and ladder-type electromagnetically induced transparency signal without Doppler background in cesium atomic vapour cell

In a Doppler-broadened ladder-type cesium atomic system (6S_1/2-6P_3/2-8S_1/2), this paper characterizes electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in two different experimental arrangements, and investigates the influence of the double-resonance optical-pumping (DROP) effect on EIT in both arrangements. When the probe laser is weak, DROP is explicitly suppressed. When the probe laser is moderate, population of the intermediate level (6P_3/2 F'=5) is remarkable, therefore DROP is mixed with EIT. An interesting bimodal spectrum with the broad component due to DROP and the narrow part due to EIT has been clearly observed in cesium 6S_1/2 F=4-6P_3/2 F'=5-8S_1/2 F"=4 transitions.     

Implementation of a sapphire cell with external electrodes for laser excitation of a forbidden atomic transition in a pulsed E-field

We demonstrate the production of an electric field inside a high temperature cesium vapor cell with external electrodes. This external control of the electric field, which is not possible with a glass cell in presence of a cesium vapor, is achieved using a cell made of sapphire, and is of particular interest for our ongoing Parity Violation experiment. We describe the main components and the implementation on the set-up, including the pulsed high voltage generator. With pulse duration not exceeding 200 ns the system provides a reversible longitudinal E-field of up to 2 kV/cm in the vapor at a density of ∼ 2×10¹⁴ at/cm³ without discharge. Atomic signals attest the application of the electric field in the cell, with the predicted value. Further improvements obtained with sapphire cells are also presented. Received 15 September 2000     

Double EIT and enhanced EIT signal in a combination of Λ- and V-type system of Rb-D<Subscript>2</Subscript> transition

We report the experimental observations of double EIT and enhanced EIT signal in a combination of Λ- and V-type multi-level system of the D₂ transition of ⁸⁵Rb atoms interacting with three laser fields. The EIT formation under a Λ-type and V-type systems is also observed separately. It is found that the EIT width in a V-type system becomes narrower than the Λ-type system. Also the effect of frequency detuning of the control laser on the probe absorption profile is studied in presence of Λ- and V-type EIT systems.     

Experimental determination of the rate constant for spin exchange in collisions of polarized metastable helium atoms with ground-state cesium atoms

The rate constant for spin exchange in a system consisting of a metastable helium atom and an alkali-metal atom is determined. An experiment on optical orientation of atoms established that the rate constant for spin exchange in a collision of a metastable 2³ S ₁ helium atom with a cesium atom in the 6² S _1/2 ground state equals (2.8±0.8)×10⁻⁹ cm³ s⁻¹. The rate constant for chemoionization of cesium atoms by metastable helium atoms was determined at the same time to be (1.0±0.3)×10⁹ cm³s⁻¹. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 3, 145–148 (10 August 1997)     

Autoionization cross section of lithium atoms excited by electron impact

We measure the full autoionization cross section of lithium atoms excited by electrons in the energy range from the first autoionization threshold at 56.39 to 600 eV. Data are obtained by determining the total intensity of electron spectrum of autoionization states 1sn ₁ l ₁ n ₂ l ₂ detected at the “magic” observation angle of 54.7°. The cross section behavior is characterized by a sharp increase to a maximum value of 1.7 × 10⁻¹⁸ cm² in the energy interval of 56.4–60 eV and a subsequent monotonic drop to a value of 10⁻¹⁸ cm² at 600 eV. We have discovered a “thin” cross section structure that reflects the presence of strong resonances of Li⁻ ions in the near-threshold area of excitation of the lowest energy autoionization states (1s2s2)2S, (1s2s2p)⁴ P, 1s(2s2p ³ P)² P), and 1s(2s2p ¹ P)² P. We have established that the contribution of autoionization to the absolute cross section of single ionization of lithium atoms does not exceed 4%. We perform a comparative analysis of the data with analogous data for potassium and cesium atoms.     

Frequency stabilization of a diode laser using electromagnetically induced transparency in a V-configuration cesium atom

An electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) signal is observed in a V-type energy level scheme in a cesium vapor cell at room temperature. The effects of frequency detuning and the intensity of the pump laser on the EIT signal have been investigated. The performance of the probe-diode laser system, which is frequency stabilized on the EIT signal by using electrical feedback, is explored. The first derivative of the EIT signal offers a steeper slope and better S/N ratio for laser frequency stabilization than that of the Doppler-free hyperfine and crossover resonances. A comparative study of the frequency stability of an external-cavity diode laser stabilized at EIT and at the crossover resonance is presented. The square root of the Allan variance (σ) vs. integration time (τ) plot shows about a tenfold improvement in the frequency stability of the EIT-locked laser (σ ～ 2.043 × 10^?13τ^?1/2) over that of the crossover-locked laser under a short integration time (1–10 ms), whereas a twofold improvement is found under a long integration time (～1 s).     

Values of adsorption and surface concentrations of the components in Na-K-Cs alloys

The values of adsorption Γ _i ^(N) and surface concentration X _i ^ω of all the components in alloys of the Na-K-Cs system were determined. The adsorption of cesium Γ_Cs^(N) was found to be > 0, while that for sodium Γ_Na^(N) was < 0 in all ternary alloys. The adsorption of potassium was found to undergo inversion when passing from Γ_K^(N) > 0 in ternary alloys (the ratios being X _Na: X _Cs > 14.4 and X _Cs < 6.5 at %) to the negative value of adsorption Γ_K^(N) in the alloys with X _Na: X _Cs < 14.4 and any cesium concentrations. Using the Na-K-Cs system, it was demonstrated for the first time that conditions ΣΓ _i ^(N) = 0 and ΣX _i ^ω = 1 and are fulfilled in ternary alloys.     

TIC rectifier with output voltage phase control. I. Cesium thyratron with a low direct potential drop

The results of investigation of the ignition voltage for a low-voltage cesium arc and direct voltage drops in the discharge in cesium triodes with fine-mesh (∼0.2 mm) and coarse-mesh (∼2 mm) control grids are presented. It is shown that in a cesium vapor pressure range of 0.05–0.1 Torr and for discharge currents of 5–10 A/cm², direct voltage drops can be reduced to 0.7–0.5 V even for a fine-mesh grid. For a coarse-mesh grid whose holdoff voltage is sufficient for rectifying low voltages (∼15–20 V), direct voltage drops are almost the same as for a diode even for currents of 1 A/cm² and lower. The critical factor of holdoff voltage loss is the grid emission level (∼1 mA/cm²).     

Splitting of the electromagnetically induced transparency resonance on 85Rb atoms in strong magnetic fields up to the Paschen-Back regime

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) resonance in strong magnetic fields of up to 1.7 kG has been investigated with the use of a 30-??m cell filled with an atomic rubidium vapor and neon as a buffer gas. The EIT resonance in the ?? system of the D₁ line of ⁸⁵Rb atoms has been formed with the use of two narrowband (??1 MHz) 795-nm diode lasers. The EIT resonance in a longitudinal magnetic field is split into five components. It has been demonstrated that the frequencies of the five EIT components are either blue- or red-shifted with an increase in the magnetic field, depending on the frequency ??_P of the probe laser. In has been shown that in both cases the ⁸⁵Rb atoms enter the hyperfine Paschen-Back regime in magnetic fields of >1 kG. The hyperfine Paschen-Back regime is manifested by the frequency slopes of all five EIT components asymptotically approaching the same fixed value. The experiment agrees well with the theory.     

Comment on measuring photoionization cross sections of excited atomic states

The results of the measured absolute photoionization cross section from the 7² P excited states of cesium are reported. The following values have been obtained: (6.2±0.5)×10⁻¹⁸ cm² and (8.8±1.6)×10⁻¹⁸ cm² for the levels 7² P _1/2 and 7² P _3/2, respectively.     

Calculation of radiative parameters for the $$ {A^1}\sum\nolimits_u^{+} {{X^1}} \sum\nolimits_g^{+} {} $$-transition of cesium dimer

Radiative parameters for vibrational bands (0 ≤ v′ ≤ 30, 0 ≤ v′′ ≤ 59) of the A¹?_u⁺ X¹ ?_g⁺ {A^1}\sum\nolimits_u^{+} {{X^1}} \sum\nolimits_g^{+} {} -electronic transition of a cesium dimer are calculated. These include vibronic band wavenumbers, Franck–Condon factors, Einstein coefficients for spontaneous emission, absorption band oscillator strengths, and radiative lifetimes for vibrational levels of the excited electronic state. Vibrational energies and wave functions for the ground and excited electronic states were found by a numerical solution of the radial wave equation based on potential curves plotted during the course of the study.     

Laser-noise-induced correlations and anti-correlations in electromagnetically induced transparency

High degrees of intensity correlation between two independent lasers were observed after propagation through a rubidium vapor cell in which they generate Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT). As the optical field intensities are increased, the correlation changes sign (becoming anti-correlation). The experiment was performed in a room temperature rubidium cell, using two diode lasers tuned to the ⁸⁵Rb D₂ line (λ= 780 nm). The cross-correlation spectral function for the pump and probe fields is numerically obtained by modeling the temporal dynamics of both field phases as diffusing processes. We explored the dependence of the atomic response on the atom-field Rabi frequencies, optical detuning and Doppler width. The results show that resonant phase-noise to amplitude-noise conversion is at the origin of the observed signal and the change in sign for the correlation coefficient can be explained as a consequence of the competition between EIT and Raman resonance processes.     

Spin-orbit coupling,spin-lattice relaxation,and spin-memory studies ofF-center-molecular-ion pairs in alkali halides

Summary The spin-orbit parameter Δ, spin-lattice relaxation timeT ₁, and spin-mixing parameter ɛ ofF _H(OH⁻) andF _H(CN⁻) centers in several alkali halides have been studied with magnetic circular dichroism at ∼2 K. A close comparison of the experimental results before and after optically induced association of theF center with the molecular ion has been made. In crystals of NaCl structure the negative spin-orbit parameter Δ changes little betweenF andF _H centers in the same host. For CsCl and CsBr two values of Δ have been derived forF _H(CN⁻) centers with axis parallel or perpendicular to the magnetic field. In all studied systems, the spin-lattice relaxation timeT ₁ is already shorter before aggregation compared toF formation. The spin-mixing parameter ɛ decreases slightly forF _H(OH⁻) compared toF centers, while it increases drastically forF _H(CN⁻) defects and reaches its maximum possible value ɛ=0.5 in cesium halides. First attempts to interpret these magneto-optical results will be presented. In honour of Prof. Fausto Fumi on the occasion of his retirement from teaching.     

Electromagnetically induced transparency in Λ-system involving D 2 line of Rb atoms confined in sub-micron columns

The effect of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a Λ-system formed by rubidium atoms contained in thin (10–60 μm) and extremely thin (0.3–5 μm) cells was studied experimentally. It was found that parameters of the EIT resonance degrade slowly in the case where the frequency of the coupling laser is in resonance with the D ₂ transition of rubidium, which enabled the registration of the EIT resonance in a record thin cell with a thickness of L = 390 nm. The specific features of EIT in extremely thin cells reveal themselves when the coupling laser has a frequency detuning Δ from the atomic transition. In this case, the width of the EIT resonance rapidly increases upon an increase in Δ at fixed L (an opposite effect takes place in centimeter-scale cells). It is shown that the width of the EIT resonance is inversely proportional to L in the case of fixed large detuning Δ. The nearly tenfold broadening of the EIT resonance for large values of detuning Δ is caused by the influence of atomic collisions with cell windows on dephasing rate of coherence. The expressions that allow the estimation of the EIT-resonance width for various values of detuning Δ and small values of thickness L are found.     

Collision broadening of spectral lines corresponding to transitions between excited levels of the cesium atom

The constants of pressure self-broadening of cesium have been measured for the transitions 6P _1/2−8D _3/2, 6P _3/2−10S _1/2, and 5D _5/2−nF(n=14−19). The constants of the resonance broadening of the 6P _1/2 and 6P _3/2 cesium levels, the constants of electron collisional broadening of thenF levels at a temperature ofT≈1500 K, and the oscillator strengths of the 5D _5/2−nF(n=14−18) transitions have been determined. Translated from Trudy Fizicheskogo Instituta im. P. N. Lebedeva, Lebedev Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Vol. 195, pp. 217–233, 1989.     

Selective reflection of a laser beam from a dilute rubidium vapor

We study the selective reflection of the laser beam from rubidium atomic vapor at the D₂ line (wavelength λ = 780 nm) at different atomic densities. We use a tunable free-running diode laser. We observed a measurable signal at a low atomic density N when the mean distance between resonance atoms reached two wavelengths. In our experiment, the dimensionless parameter N ^1/3 λ varied from 0.5 to 2.8. The reflectivity increased with density monotonically. It is interesting to perform experiments when the parameter N ^1/3 λ ≪ 1.