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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Pacific Rim (CLEO-PR)

Saturated absorption spectroscopy with a Zeeman shift

Un Yob Shim, Jong-An Kim, W. Jhe

Published Jan 20, 2003• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Recently a new type of spectroscopy using Zeeman shift has been developed, which aims for a large recapture range by making a dispersive-like signal obtained from the subtraction of two different circularly polarized Doppler-broadened absorption signals in the presence of a magnetic field (order of 100 G). We would like to propose another method for stabilizing a diode laser frequency onto an atomic frequency with a small tunable range in the presence of small longitudinal magnetic field (order of Gauss). A solid state diode laser is preferred as it is a good light source. Our technique has the advantages of cancellation of frequency fluctuation over side-locking and no need for phase-sensitive detection and frequency modulation over peak-locking. A subtracted SAS signal and the blocking signal are displayed on one photodiode.

DOI
10.1109/cleopr.1999.817939

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Recently a new type of spectroscopy using Zeeman shift has been developed, which aims for a large recapture range by making a dispersive-like signal obtained from the subtraction of two different circularly polarized Doppler-broadened absorption signals in the presence of a magnetic field (order of 100 G). We would like to propose another method for stabilizing a diode laser frequency onto an atomic frequency with a small tunable range in the presence of small longitudinal magnetic field (order of Gauss). A solid state diode laser is preferred as it is a good light source. Our technique has the advantages of cancellation of frequency fluctuation over side-locking and no need for phase-sensitive detection and frequency modulation over peak-locking. A subtracted SAS signal and the blocking signal are displayed on one photodiode.
We demonstrate a robust method of stabilizing a diode laser frequency to an atomic transition. This technique employs the Zeeman shift to generate an antisymmetric signal about a Doppler-broadened atomic resonance, and therefore offers a large recapture range as well as high stability. The frequency of a 780-nm diode laser, stabilized to such a signal in Rb, drifted less than 0.5 MHz peak-peak (1 part in 10(9)) in 38 h. This tunable frequency lock can be constructed inexpensively, requires little laser power, rarely loses lock, and can be extended to other wavelengths by use of different atomic species.
Zeeman split takes place for the hyperfine level structure of neutral atoms where magnetic field exists. In addition, being excited by right circularly polarized light and left circularly polarized light, atoms obey different transition rules. So, the absorption peak between the hyperfine Zeeman level shifts with respect to the absorption peak without magnetic field. Accordingly, the authors demonstrated a kind of simple and flexible method to stabilize the frequency of diode laser. The linewidth of diode laser was reduced to less than 1 MHz using this method. Through analyzing the experiment results, the authors found that when the sum of both shifts of the hyperfine level of atoms excited by right circularly polarized light and left circularly polarized light was equal to the FWHM (Full Width at Half Maximum) of the saturated absorption peak, the laser frequency was stabilized best.
We observed saturated absorption spectra of the 87Rb atom under a magnetic field of several millitesla with a diode laser oscillating at 780 nm. The spectra were compared with the theoretical ones obtained on the basis of Nakayama's four-level model. We numerically computed Zeeman splittings of the 52 P 3/2 excited state of the atom. As the magnetic field increased to 5 mT, the absorption peak of the F=2→F'=3 transition shifted almost linearly up to about 62 MHz. The shift direction was reversed by changing the polarization combination of the pump and probe lasers. The measured frequency stability, when the laser was locked at the absorption peak, was better than σy(τ)= 1 ×10-11τ-1/2 for the sampling time of 0.01 s≤τ≤10 s.
We present a method of diode laser frequency stabilization based on the Faraday rotation of linearly polarized light passing through an atomic sample in the presence of a very modest (1mT) magnetic field. Near the zero crossing of this spectroscopic feature, an optical system capable of very precise polarimetry detects and corrects for very small frequency fluctuations via a feedback system, which keeps the rotation signal at zero. In our application, we have demonstrated robust frequency stabilization over time scales from 10ms to 1h at the 1MHz level or below. We utilize this technique to lock our laser to a “forbidden” M1∕E2 transition in thallium at 1283nm, for which saturated absorption techniques are not straightforward. This technique has broad applicability to spectroscopy of various atomic systems as we also demonstrate using a Rb cell and a 780nm diode laser.
Precise laser stabilization is a fundamental aspect of modern metrology, directly influencing the accuracy of fundamental measurements in fields such as high-precision metrology, atomic sensor applications, and quantum technologies. Saturation absorption spectroscopy (SAS) is one of the most effective techniques for achieving high spectral stability, as it enables laser frequencies to be locked to atomic resonances. This technique exploits the nonlinear interaction between a weaker probe beam and a stronger pump beam within a rubidium (Rb) atomic vapor cell. By eliminating Doppler broadening, SAS allows well-defined hyperfine transitions to be resolved, providing a reliable optical frequency reference. This study aims to optimize laser frequency stabilization using the SAS technique by investigating the effects of laser light polarization, atomic vapor cell temperature, and pump-probe power adjustments. Polarization-dependent selection rules influence transition probabilities, thereby affecting spectral contrast and frequency stability. Additionally, atomic density variations, which depend on the vapor cell temperature, influence signal strength and linewidth, necessitating precise temperature control for optimal performance. Furthermore, the pump power must be sufficient to induce saturation without excessive power broadening, while the probe power must remain low enough to prevent spectral line distortion. By optimizing polarization, temperature, and power parameters, the stabilization of the Rb atomic laser can be enhanced, leading to improved reproducibility and consistency in high-precision measurements. SAS-based laser stabilization is particularly crucial for atomic sensor applications and quantum technologies, where highly stable, narrow-linewidth lasers are essential for precision measurements. Applications such as atomic magnetometers, gyroscopes, and inertial navigation systems depend on precisely stabilized lasers for optimal performance. By enhancing the reliability of laser frequency stabilization, this work contributes to the advancement of next-generation atomic sensors with improved sensitivity and stability.