Saturated absorption spectroscopy: Elimination of crossover resonances with the use of a nanocell

It is demonstrated that the velocity-selective optical pumping/saturation resonances of the reduced absorption in a Rb vapor nanocell with thickness L = λ, 2λ, and 3λ (resonant wavelength λ = 780 nm) allow for the complete elimination of crossover (CO) resonances. We observe well-pronounced resonances corresponding to the F _g = 3 → F _e = 2, 3, and 4 hyperfine transitions of the ⁸⁵Rb D₂ line with line widths close to the natural width. A small CO resonance located midway between F _g = 3 → F _e = 3 and F _g = 3 → F _e = 4 transitions appears only for L ≥ 4λ. The D₂ line (λ = 852 nm) in a Cs nanocell exhibits a similar behavior. From the amplitude ratio of the CO and VSOP resonances, it is possible to determine the thickness of the column of alkali vapor in the range of 1–1000 μm. The absence of the CO resonances for nanocells with L ～ λ is attractive for the frequency reference application and for studying the transitions between the Zeeman sublevels in external magnetic fields.