| Abstract: | We have compared coherent population trapping (CPT) resonances, both experimentally and theoretically, for excitation of the D(1) and D(2) transitions of thermal (85)Rb vapor. Excitation of the D(1) line results in greater resonance contrast than excitation of the D(2) line and in a reduction in the resonance width, in agreement with theoretical expectations. These results translate into a nearly tenfold improvement in performance for the application of CPT resonances to a frequency standard or a sensitive magnetometer when the D(1) line, rather than the D(2) line, is used. |
