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arXiv:1510.07518 · Physical Review A

Spatial dynamics of laser-induced fluorescence in an intense laser beam: An experimental and theoretical study with alkali-metal atoms

Marcis P. Auzinsh, Andris Bērziņš, R. Ferber, F. Gahbauer, U. Kalnins

Published Mar 3, 2016• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We show that it is possible to model accurately optical phenomena in intense laser fields by taking into account the intensity distribution over the laser beam. We present an extension of an earlier theoretical model that divides an intense laser beam into concentric regions, each with a Rabi frequency that corresponds to the intensity in that region, and solve a set of coupled optical Bloch equations for the density matrix in each region. Experimentally obtained magneto-optical resonance curves for the ${F}_{g}=2\ensuremath{\longrightarrow}{F}_{e}=1$ transition of the ${D}_{1}$ line of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ agree very well with the theoretical model up to a laser intensity of around 200 mW/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for a transition whose saturation intensity is around 4.5 mW/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. We examine the spatial dependence of the fluorescence intensity in an intense laser beam experimentally and theoretically. We present and discuss the results of an experiment in which a broad, intense pump laser excites the ${F}_{g}=4\ensuremath{\longrightarrow}{F}_{e}=4$ transition of the ${D}_{2}$ line of cesium while a narrow probe beam scans the atoms within the pump beam and excites the ${D}_{1}$ line of cesium, whose fluorescence is recorded as a function of probe beam position. Experimentally obtained spatial profiles of the fluorescence intensity agree qualitatively with the predictions of the model.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.93.033403

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•Jan 1, 1991•0 citations

Nonlinear effects in optical pumping of atoms by a high-intensity multimode gas laser. II. Exact theory for small angular momenta

M. Ducloy

In a previous paper, I have presented a general theory of the optical pumping of atoms by a polarized multimode-laser beam, in the presence of a magnetic field. Equations of motion, valid at arbitrary laser intensities for the density matrix of the atomic system, have been obtained. In this paper, these equations are exactly solved for a linearly $\ensuremath{\sigma}$-polarized laser and levels having small angular momenta. More precisely, I consider the laser transitions ${J}_{b}=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{a}=0$, ${J}_{b}=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{a}=1$, and ${J}_{b}=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{a}=2$. Two particular results are emphasized: (i) For $J=1\ensuremath{-}J=0$ and $J=1\ensuremath{-}J=1$ transitions and for the $J=2$ level of a $J=1\ensuremath{-}J=2$ transition, the laser-induced Hanle effects keep a Lorentzian shape, independent of the laser intensity. For the $J=1\ensuremath{-}J=1$ transition, it is shown that the depolarizing relaxation processes play a leading part in the coupling induced by the laser between the transverse alignments of the two levels. On the other hand, the power broadenings of the Hanle effects are shown to be similar. For the $J=1$ level of a $J=1\ensuremath{-}J=2$ transition, the Hanle-effect shape presents a departure from the Lorentzian one, owing to a coupling with the laser-induced hexadecapole moment in the $J=2$ level. (ii) The populations of the levels exhibit a "zero-field saturation resonance" which is due to the coupling with the Zeeman coherences. These resonances, which reproduce the Hanle effects of the transition, can be observed on the $\ensuremath{\pi}$-polarized fluorescence from the levels. In general, these resonances appear as a saturation effect, i.e., they reduce the laser-induced fluorescence of the levels in zero magnetic field. However, for the ${J}_{b}=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{a}=2$ transition, the ${J}_{a}=2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{f}=2 \ensuremath{\pi}$ fluorescence presents an anomalous behavior; the saturation resonance increases the zero-field laser-induced fluorescence. The theoretical study shows the prominent part played by the value of the ${J}_{b}=1$ level lifetime in the interpretation of this anomaly. Other results, such as the laser-induced depolarization of the fluorescence, are also obtained. All the theoretical predictions have been experimentally checked and will be presented in forthcoming papers.

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New Journal of Physics•Feb 18, 2025•4 citations
We show that it is possible to model accurately optical phenomena in intense laser fields by taking into account the intensity distribution over the laser beam. We present an extension of an earlier theoretical model that divides an intense laser beam into concentric regions, each with a Rabi frequency that corresponds to the intensity in that region, and solve a set of coupled optical Bloch equations for the density matrix in each region. Experimentally obtained magneto-optical resonance curves for the Fg=2\ensuremath⟶Fe=1{F}_{g}=2\ensuremath{\longrightarrow}{F}_{e}=1Fg​=2\ensuremath⟶Fe​=1 transition of the D1{D}_{1}D1​ line of 87Rb^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb agree very well with the theoretical model up to a laser intensity of around 200 mW/cm2{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}cm2 for a transition whose saturation intensity is around 4.5 mW/cm2{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}cm2. We examine the spatial dependence of the fluorescence intensity in an intense laser beam experimentally and theoretically. We present and discuss the results of an experiment in which a broad, intense pump laser excites the Fg=4\ensuremath⟶Fe=4{F}_{g}=4\ensuremath{\longrightarrow}{F}_{e}=4Fg​=4\ensuremath⟶Fe​=4 transition of the D2{D}_{2}D2​ line of cesium while a narrow probe beam scans the atoms within the pump beam and excites the D1{D}_{1}D1​ line of cesium, whose fluorescence is recorded as a function of probe beam position. Experimentally obtained spatial profiles of the fluorescence intensity agree qualitatively with the predictions of the model.
We have measured magneto-optical signals obtained by exciting the D1{D}_{1}D1​ line of cesium atoms confined to an extremely thin cell (ETC), whose walls are separated by less than $1\ensuremath{\mu}\text{m}$, and developed an improved theoretical model to describe these signals with experimental precision. The theoretical model was based on the optical Bloch equations and included all neighboring hyperfine transitions, the mixing of the magnetic sublevels in an external magnetic field, and the Doppler effect, as in previous studies. However, in order to model the extreme conditions in the ETC more realistically, the model was extended to include a unified treatment of transit relaxation and wall collisions with relaxation rates that were obtained directly from the thermal velocities of the atoms and the length scales involved. Furthermore, the interactions of the atoms with different regions of the laser beam were modeled separately to account for the varying laser beam intensity over the beam profile as well as saturation effects that become important near the center of the beam at the relatively high laser intensities used during the experiments in order to obtain measurable signals. The model described the experimentally measured signals for laser intensities for magnetic fields up to 55 G and laser intensities up to 1W/cm21{\text{W/cm}}^{2}1W/cm2 with excellent agreement.
The optical pumping of atoms by a multimode gas laser, in the presence of a magnetic field, is studied theoretically. The atoms are described by their density matrix, which is expanded on an irreducible tensorial set. The atomic relaxation is assumed to be isotropic. In order to avoid the usual perturbation theory, we use the so-called "Broad-Line approximation" (BLA). BLA is valid when the width of the "Bennett hole" created by one laser mode in the velocity distribution of the excited atoms is comparable to the spacing between modes; under these conditions, the atomic response does not depend on the velocity and the multimode laser irradiation is equivalent to a broad-line excitation. For the atomic system, BLA leads to a set of coupled equations which is valid at arbitrary intensities of the laser field and which depends on this field through a unique parameter, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$. This parameter can be understood as a laser-induced transition probability. In this article, we analyze the nonlinear effects which can be deduced from this theory, for any value of the angular momenta involved in the laser transition: Hanle-effect broadening, alignment coupling, saturation resonances on the populations are shown. The exact calculations, valid at arbitrary laser intensities for $J=1\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}J=0$, $J=1\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}J=1$, and $J=1\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}J=2$ transitions, and the corresponding experimental results will be presented in forthcoming papers.
Nonlinear magneto-optical resonances on the hyperfine transitions belonging to the D2{D}_{2}D2​ line of rubidium were changed from bright to dark resonances by changing the laser power density of the single exciting laser field or by changing the vapor temperature in the cell. In one set of experiments atoms were excited by linearly polarized light from an extended cavity diode laser with polarization vector perpendicular to the light's propagation direction and magnetic field, and laser-induced fluorescence was observed along the direction of the magnetic field, which was scanned. A low-contrast bright resonance was observed at low laser power densities when the laser was tuned to the ${F}_{g}=2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{F}_{e}=3$ transition of 87{}^{87}87Rb and near to the ${F}_{g}=3\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{F}_{e}=4$ transition of 85{}^{85}85Rb. The bright resonance became dark as the laser power density was increased above 0.6 mW/cm2{}^{2}2 or 0.8 mW/cm2{}^{2}2, respectively. When the ${F}_{g}=2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{F}_{e}=3$ transition of 87{}^{87}87Rb was excited with circularly polarized light in a second set of experiments, a bright resonance was observed, which became dark when the temperature was increased to around 50${}^{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\circ}}$C. The experimental observations at room temperature could be reproduced with good agreement by calculations based on a theoretical model, although the theoretical model was not able to describe measurements at elevated temperatures, where reabsorption was thought to play a decisive role. The model was derived from the optical Bloch equations and included all nearby hyperfine components, averaging over the Doppler profile, mixing of magnetic sublevels in the external magnetic field, and a treatment of the coherence properties of the exciting radiation field.
The resonant excitation of the sodium D2 transition by laser radiation was investigated experimentally in this thesis. Line polarization measurement of the resonance fluorescence was employed to investigate the excitation process. The sodium atoms, which were collimated in a very narrow beam, were excited by a monochromatic laser beam with the frequency tuned to resonance with the 32S 112(F=2) - 32P312 hyperfine transition. The direction of the laser beam was perpendicular to the atomic beam and the fluorescence photons were detected along a direction perpendicular to both the laser and atomic beams. The experimental measurements were performed to determine the effect due to the variation of the laser intensity and frequency on the line polarization. A theoretical expression of the line polarization as a function of density matrix elements of the upper excited hyperfine sub -states was derived. A full quantum electrodynamic theory was used to derive an atomic operator equation of motion which was needed to calculate atomic operator elements. These elements then yielded the corresponding density matrix elements. The experimental results and the theoretical modelling were in a good agreement. The first experimental results for the line polarization of the highly excited states, 42D512 and 42D312, are also presented. The use of two lasers enabled these highly excited states to be excited. The line polarization of the fluorescence for transitions from the 4D level down to lower states is derived in terms of the density matrix elements of the upper excited states. Two limiting cases for the theoretical predictions of the line polarization are considered.
In a previous paper, I have presented a general theory of the optical pumping of atoms by a polarized multimode-laser beam, in the presence of a magnetic field. Equations of motion, valid at arbitrary laser intensities for the density matrix of the atomic system, have been obtained. In this paper, these equations are exactly solved for a linearly $\ensuremath{\sigma}$-polarized laser and levels having small angular momenta. More precisely, I consider the laser transitions ${J}_{b}=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{a}=0$, ${J}_{b}=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{a}=1$, and ${J}_{b}=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{a}=2$. Two particular results are emphasized: (i) For $J=1\ensuremath{-}J=0$ and $J=1\ensuremath{-}J=1$ transitions and for the J=2J=2J=2 level of a $J=1\ensuremath{-}J=2$ transition, the laser-induced Hanle effects keep a Lorentzian shape, independent of the laser intensity. For the $J=1\ensuremath{-}J=1$ transition, it is shown that the depolarizing relaxation processes play a leading part in the coupling induced by the laser between the transverse alignments of the two levels. On the other hand, the power broadenings of the Hanle effects are shown to be similar. For the J=1J=1J=1 level of a $J=1\ensuremath{-}J=2$ transition, the Hanle-effect shape presents a departure from the Lorentzian one, owing to a coupling with the laser-induced hexadecapole moment in the J=2J=2J=2 level. (ii) The populations of the levels exhibit a "zero-field saturation resonance" which is due to the coupling with the Zeeman coherences. These resonances, which reproduce the Hanle effects of the transition, can be observed on the $\ensuremath{\pi}$-polarized fluorescence from the levels. In general, these resonances appear as a saturation effect, i.e., they reduce the laser-induced fluorescence of the levels in zero magnetic field. However, for the ${J}_{b}=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{a}=2$ transition, the ${J}_{a}=2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{f}=2 \ensuremath{\pi}$ fluorescence presents an anomalous behavior; the saturation resonance increases the zero-field laser-induced fluorescence. The theoretical study shows the prominent part played by the value of the Jb=1{J}_{b}=1Jb​=1 level lifetime in the interpretation of this anomaly. Other results, such as the laser-induced depolarization of the fluorescence, are also obtained. All the theoretical predictions have been experimentally checked and will be presented in forthcoming papers.
Abstract Laser spectroscopy of hot atomic vapours has been studied extensively. Theoretical models that predict the absolute value of the electric susceptibility are crucial for optimising the design of photonic devices that use hot vapours, and for extracting parameters, such as external fields, when these devices are used as sensors. To date, most of the models developed have been restricted to the weak-probe regime. However, fulfilling the weak-probe power constraint may not always be easy, desired or necessary. Here we present a model for simulating the spectra of alkali-metal vapours for a variety of experimental parameters, most distinctly at intensities beyond weak laser fields. The model incorporates optical pumping effects and transit-time broadening. We test the performance of the model by performing spectroscopy of 87Rb in a magnetic field of 0.6 T, where isolated atomic resonances can be addressed. We find very good agreement between the model and data for three different beam diameters and a variation of intensity of over five orders of magnitude. The non-overlapping absorption lines allow us to differentiate the saturation behaviour of open and closed transitions. While our model was only experimentally verified for the D2 line of rubidium, the software is also capable of simulating spectra of rubidium, sodium, potassium and caesium over both D lines.