Amplification of radiation in atomic vapor induced by a linearly polarized laser radiation

We present the results of spectroscopic and polarization studies of dilute rubidium vapor exposed to a single-frequency linearly polarized diode laser radiation in a spectral range of atomic D₂ line. We report the origin of a circularly polarized radiation on V-type transitions of ⁸⁷Rb F _g = 2 → F _e = 3 and ⁸⁵Rb F _g = 3 → F _e = 4, and amplification of this radiation in backward direction caused by a partial population inversion among magnetic sublevels of the ground and excited levels. This is confirmed experimentally by high directivity of backward radiation, absence in its spectrum of ⁸⁵Rb F _g = 2 → F _e = 1 (Λ-type) radiation, as well as by different nature of intensity dependences of backward and fluorescence radiations.     

Coherent spectroscopy of the 87RbFg=1→ Fe=0 closed transition

This paper has observed linewidth narrowing of dark states in rubidium cell by using the Hanle configuration. The reduction of the coherent resonance width under the transition of ^87Rb Fg = 1 → Fe = 0 is observed and the qualitative explanation about its mechanism is presented. Multiple subnatural width dips are obtained with a linearly polarized laser beam for the transitions of ^87Rb Fg = 1→Fe = 0, 1, 2. The feature of negative and positive slope, namely dispersionlike feature, is observed in the transmitted light.     

Nonlinear Hanle effect in Cs vapor under strong laser excitation

We report results of a theoretical and experimental study of the ground state nonlinear Hanle effect under strong laser excitation. It is shown that besides the well-known zero-magnetic field suppression of absorption on F _g = F→F _e = F - 1 transitions caused by population trapping, an optical pumping induced enhanced absorption occurs on F _g = F→F _e = F + 1 transitions for small B-fields. The latter effect becomes more pronounced for high F values. The experiment with atomic vapor of Cs (D₂ line, F _g = 4) confirms an increase of the spectrally unresolved fluorescence yield at zero magnetic field and 600 mW/cm² laser intensity by 9% or 42%, when excitation occurs with linearly or circularly polarized light, respectively. The results of the experiment agree with numerical simulation studies using equations of motion for a density matrix. Received 24 November 2001 / Received in final form 25 March 2002 Published online 24 September 2002     

Emergence of electromagnetically induced absorption in a perturbation solution of optical Bloch equations

We study phenomenon of electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) in the Hanle configuration by applying a perturbative method to solve linear system of optical Bloch equations (OBEs) for the case of closed F _g = 1 → F _e = 2 transition. The method is applied assuming stationary case and a weak laser fields (Ω ≪ Γ, i.e., Rabi frequency small compared to spontaneous emission rate). This way, we calculate (both numerically and analytically) higher order corrections to density matrix. Odd corrections give contributions to optical coherences, while even corrections contribute to populations and Zeeman coherences. The method gives insight into mechanism of transfer of coherences and transfer of populations between Zeeman sublevels. We have found that the ground-state coherences (2nd correction to coherences) are crucial for the 4th correction to the change of populations which brings EIA type behavior of the Hanle spectrum. Using exact analytical expressions we further discuss further the role of decoherence of the ground-state sublevels when forming EIA.     

Influence of the neighboring transition on polarization gradient cooling

g =4→F_e ^′=5 transition. As the detuning becomes larger, the equilibrium temperature becomes lower. When the detuning is larger than 150 MHz, the influence of the F_g=4→F_e ^′=4 transition also becomes significant. We show our numerical analysis of polarization gradient cooling, taking into account actual sublevels of the ground state and two excited states. We conclude that it is preferable to use a detuning of greater than 180 MHz, to get both a high deceleration and low equilibrium temperature. Received: 25 September 1996/Revised version: 10 January 1997     

Sub-natural linewidth resonances in coherently-driven double Λ system

We investigate theoretically the pump-probe spectroscopy of coherently-driven four-level Λ system with two closely spaced excited common levels, thereby forming a double Λ system. Using the master equation approach, analytical results are obtained for the absorption spectrum of a weak probe in the presence of a strong pump. The model is applied to the double Λ system 5² S _1/2 F = 1, 2 → 5² P _3/2 F′ = 1,2 of ⁸⁷Rb atom. It is shown that the absorption spectrum consists of a triplet, of which one resonance is of sub-natural linewidth depending on the atom-field interaction parameters. The effect of Doppler broadening on the absorption spectrum is also investigated.     

Atom in an elliptically polarized resonance field: Exact stationary solution

An analytical method is developed for finding the exact stationary solution for the density matrix of atoms in a monochromatic resonance field of arbitrary ellipticity and intensity. A solution for the transitions F _g=F → F _e=F+1 (F _g and F _e are the angular momenta of the ground and excited states) is obtained in an analytical invariant form. The properties of this solution are investigated. Pis'ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 64, No. 1, 8–12 (10 July 1996)     

Bose-Einstein condensation of rubidium atoms

A setup for preparing the Bose-Einstein condensate of rubidium atoms has been built. The condensate consists of 10⁵–10^{6 87}Rb atoms in the hyperfine state F _g = 2 of the ground electronic state. Three key indications of condensation—a sharp increase in the phase-space density of atoms, the threshold emergence of two fractions in the cloud, and anisotropic expansion of the condensate—have been observed.     

Frequency modulation spectroscopy of coherent dark resonances of multi-level atoms in a magnetic field

The resonances of coherent population trapping (CPT) excited by a frequency-modulated (FM) field at the Zeeman sublevels during the transition F _g = 2 → F _e = 1 of the ⁸⁷Rb D ₁-absorption line were studied theoretically. The influence of the nonlinear Zeeman effect on the structure of the observed resonances was considered. The spectra of CPT resonances were calculated for different values of magnetic field induction and compared with the experimental data.     

Magnetically trapped atoms for compact atomic clocks

We investigate the hyperfine transition of magnetically trapped non-condensed atoms. The two principal frequency shifts, the second order Zeeman effect and the mean field interaction are considered. Analytic models of the mean frequency and its trap induced spread are developed. Comparisons with existing experiments evaluate the role of the atoms’ oscillatory motion. The analytic model proves to be equivalent to existing Monte Carlo simulations. The formulae provide a simple tool for optimising the design of a new experiment. Applied to the two-photon transition |F=1,m _F =−1〉→|F=2,m _F =1〉 in ⁸⁷Rb and the conditions of a typical atom chip experiment, a line spread as small as 11 mHz is predicted giving a quality factor of 10¹². The system is promising for application in precision instruments such as compact atomic clocks.     

Laser frequency stabilization using a balanced bi-polarimeter

We report on a Doppler-free polarization spectroscopy based technique of laser frequency stabilization using a balanced bi-polarimeter set-up. Two linearly polarized weak laser beams are used to probe birefringence induced by two oppositely circularly polarized strong pump beams in a vapour cell. Subtraction of balanced polarimeter signals obtained from the two probe beams results in a background-free dispersion-like reference signal without frequency modulation. The dispersion-like signal corresponding to the closed transition 5 ² S _1/2 (F=2) →5 ² P _3/2 (F^′=3) of ⁸⁷Rb was used for frequency locking of a diode laser. The frequency fluctuations and the drift were measured to be less than 0.25 MHz and 0.02 MHz, respectively, for an observation period of more than 10 hours. PACS 42.62.Fi; 42.55.Px; 32.30.-r     

Structure of magnetic resonance in <Superscript>87</Superscript>Rb atoms

Magnetic resonance at the F_g = 1 \( \rightleftarrows \)F_e = 1 transition of the D₁ line in ⁸⁷Rb has been studied with pumping and detection by linearly polarized radiation and detection at the double frequency of the radiofrequency field. The intervals of allowed values of the static and alternating magnetic fields in which magnetic resonance has a single maximum have been found. The structure appearing beyond these intervals has been explained. It has been shown that the quadratic Zeeman shift is responsible for the three-peak structure of resonance; the radiofrequency shift results in the appearance of additional extrema in resonance, which can be used to determine the relaxation constant Γ₂. The possibility of application in magnetometry has been discussed.     

Selective excitation of the 62 D 3/2 state of the atomic thallium beam

The absorption of the tunable narrow-band laser radiation with λ = 276.9 nm at the 6² P _1/2 → 62 D _3/2 transition in the atomic thallium beam is experimentally studied. The isotopic selectivity and efficiency of the excitation of the 6² D _3/2 state is investigated. The splittings between the ²⁰³Tl and ²⁰⁵Tl isotopes were found to be Δv = 0.98 and 1.25 GHz for the transitions with the nuclear momenta F = 1 → F = 1, 2 and F = 0 → F = 1, respectively, which is sufficient for a relatively high isotopic selectivity of the 6² D _3/2 state excitation with the subsequent ionization for the laser separation of the thallium isotopes. The effects that lead to the broadening of the resonance and a decrease in the selectivity are analyzed. The main contribution is related to the field broadening by the laser radiation, which limits the mean laser power density.     

Sub-Doppler fluorescence on the atomic <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> line of a submicron rubidium-vapor layer

An extremely thin cell (ETC) with the thickness of a Rb atomic vapor layer in the range of 100–300 nm was fabricated. It is demonstrated that a simple laser-diode technique with a single resonant light beam is sufficient to observe separately all of the atomic hyperfine transitions of the D ₂ line of Rb (780 nm) and also allows us to measure the relative transition probabilities of the hyperfine transitions. The onset of collisional self-broadening of the hyperfine transitions as the number density of atoms increases was studied. The detrimental role of the atoms with slow longitudinal velocity in the sub-Doppler response of the Rb ETC is demonstrated by studies in which the cell is tilted from normal incidence of the laser beam. It is also shown that using an ETC allows us to resolve in a moderate external magnetic field the Zeeman splitting of the hyperfine transitions of the ⁸⁷Rb D ₁ transition F _g=1F _e=1,2. Received: 19 February 2003 / Revised version: 4 April 2003 / Published online: 2 June 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +374/32-31172, E-mail: david@ipr.sci.am     

Search for solar axions produced in the p + d → <Superscript>3</Superscript>He + A reaction

A search for the axioelectric absorption of 5.5-MeV solar axions produced in the p + d → ³He + γ (5.5 MeV) reaction was performed with two BGO detectors placed inside a low-background setup. Constraints on the axion-electron coupling constant were obtained for axions with masses in the (0.1–1.0)-MeV range: g _Ae ≤ (1.8–9.0) × 10⁻⁷. The solar positron flux from A → e⁻ + e⁺ decay was determined for axions with masses m _A > 2m _e. Using the existing experimental data on the interplanetary positron flux, a new constraint on the axion-electron coupling constant for axions with masses in the (1.2–5.4)-MeV range was obtained: g _Ae ≤ (1–5) × 10⁻¹⁷.     

Resonances in the pump-probe spectroscopy of Λ system in alkali atoms

We investigate resonances in the pump-probe spectroscopy of Λ configuration of levels in the hyperfine manifold of D ₂ transition of ¹³³Cs and ^a7Rb with specific reference to Autler-Townes splitting, dressed state resonances in double Λ system and electromagnetically induced transparency. As an application, a dark resonance based magnetometer is briefly discussed.     

Observation of nonstationary effects in saturation spectroscopy

We have studied the nonstationary effects in saturated absorption spectroscopy of the ⁸⁷Rb D₂ line. Varying the size of the σ⁺ polarized pump laser beam, we observed saturated absorption spectra for the σ^± polarized probe beam. For equal polarizations of the pump and probe beams, we found that the resonance signal for the F_g = 1 → F_e = 2 line, and the crossover lines between F_g = 1 → F_e = 2 and F_g = 1 → F_e = 1 (and 0) lines increased to a greater extent than the others. This observation can be understood from the calculated time evolution of the populations of the ground-state sublevels by means of a rate equation model. We also compared experimental data for other conditions with the calculated results. We found good agreement between the calculated results and the data.     

Quantum interference effects in a multi-driven transition Fg = 3 ↔ Fe = 2

We calculated and studied the quantum coherence effects of a degenerate transition F_g = 3 ↔ F_e = 2 system interacting with a weak linearly polarized (with σ_± components) probe light and a strong linearly polarized (with σ_± components) coupling field. Due to the competition between the drive Rabi frequency and the Zeeman splitting, electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) are appeared at the different values of applied magnetic field in both cases that the Zeeman splitting of excited state Δe is smaller than the Zeeman splitting of ground state Δg (i.e., Δe < Δg) and Δe > Δg. It is shown that the resonance is broader and contrasts are higher for Δe < Δg than that for Δe > Δg at the same Rabi frequencies of probe and coupling fields.     

Observation of electromagnetically induced transparency in cesium molecules

We have studied electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in diatomic cesium molecules in a vapor cell by using tunable diode lasers. We have observed a sub-natural Λ-resonance in absorption molecular band B ¹Π _u − X ¹Σ _g ⁺ at different cesium vapor pressures. The width of the EIT resonance shows a linear dependence on a cesium vapor pressure.