Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics

The wavelength dependence of the polarisation selection rules of the 3s-5s two-photon transition in atomic sodium

Bridget Marx, L. Allen

Published Sep 14, 1978• 8 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The authors report an experimental investigation of the dependence of the selection rules for two-photon absorption as a function of the detuning from the real intermediate states of the laser light exciting the transition. The transition examined is the 3s-5s two-photon transition in atomic sodium. A clear wavelength dependence of the polarisation selection rules is observed, the range of which we attribute to saturation of the single-photon transition to the intermediate state.

DOI
10.1088/0022-3700/11/17/013

Related papers

Zeeman Effect in the Two-Photon 3S−5S Transition in Sodium Vapor

N. Bloembergen, M. D. Levenson, M. M. Salour

The technique of two-photon absorption without Doppler broadening has made possible the observation of the Zeeman splitting of a transition between two $^{2}S$ states. Selection rules are discussed. The observed pattern of hyperfine components is narrower in very high fields than in zero field, in agreement with the theory.

Physical Review Letters•Apr 22, 1974•67 citations

Observation of Two-Photon Absorption without Doppler Broadening on the 3S−5S Transition in Sodium Vapor

M. D. Levenson, N. Bloembergen

The $3S\ensuremath{-}5S$ transition of Na atoms is induced by absorption of two photons, one each from two circularly polarized beams traveling in opposite directions through the vapor. The beams are derived from a tunable, narrow-band pulsed dye laser. Doppler broadening is absent and the hyperfine structure is resolved. The hyperfine interaction constant ${A}_{5S}$ in the $5S$ state of the ${\mathrm{Na}}^{23}$ atom is determined to be 101\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15 MHz.

Physical Review Letters•Mar 25, 1974•285 citations

Saturation effects in multiphoton ionization

John A. Yeazell, Michelle S. Malcuit, Carlos R. Stroud +1 more

We have studied two-photon resonant three-photon ionization of atomic sodium vapor. A dye laser tuned to either the 4d or 5s two-photon allowed transition was used to excite the atom and a second more intense laser (λ = 7000 Å) was used for ionization. The ion yield was measured as a function of resonant laser intensity and detuning, the nonresonant laser intensity, and the temporal overlap of the exciting and ionizing laser pulses. We have found1 that at high laser intensities the photoionization yield decreases as the nonresonant laser intensity is increased. When tuned to the 5s level a value of ~−0.6 was obtained for the exponential index even with the resonant laser tuned to maximize the ion yield. A theoretical model including the effects of Stark shift of the ground state, power broadening of the intermediate level due to saturation of the two-photon transition and by rapid transitions to the ionization continuum was used to predict the experimental results. Good agreement between theory and experiment required the use of a photoionization cross section for the 5s level which was ~20 times greater than the accepted value. Results for photoionization from the 4d level are also presented.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1985•0 citations

Collisional modification of the atomic-Na 3s 2 S1/2 –5s 2 S1/2 two-color two-photon polarization spectrum

LeRoy F. Cook, D. A. Olsgaard, Mark D. Havey +1 more

An experimental investigation of the atomic-Na 3s $^{2}$${\mathit{S}}_{1/2--}$5s $^{2}$${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$ two-color two-photon polarization spectrum has been made. Measurements of the linear polarization degree of the two-photon transition were made for one laser tuned within a \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}100 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ range of the atomic-Na 3p $^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{\mathit{j}}$ levels, with the second adjusted to satisfy the two-photon resonance condition. The relatively short-pulse (\ensuremath{\sim}0.5 ns) lasers used eliminate effects on the spectrum due to atomic-Na hyperfine interactions and radiation trapping, while greatly reducing depolarization due to collisions with Ar gas. In the absence of collisions, the measured polarization spectrum is in excellent agreement with calculations. Measurements of the Ar pressure dependence of the spectrum revealed strong depolarization in the vicinity of resonant excitation through the 3p $^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$ level. A collisional depolarization cross section of 200(30) \AA{} for this process was deduced from the data.

Physical Review A•Jan 1, 1993•16 citations

Broadening and shift of the sodium 3S-4D and 3S-5S two-photon lines perturbed by noble gases

F. Biraben, Bernard Cagnac, E. Giacobino +1 more

Investigates experimentally the broadening and the shift of the sodium 3S-4D and 3S-5S two-photon transitions without Doppler broadening by collisions with the noble gases. The broadening cross section is larger for the 3S-5S transition than for the 3S-4D transition. The experimental values for the 3S-5S transition are compared with semiclassical calculations using the van der Waals potential and the potentials calculated by Pascale and Vandeplanque (1974).

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics•Aug 21, 1977•45 citations

Experimental investigation on the frequency dependence of the exponential index in the Na 3s-5stwo-photon transition

Sung Ho Kim, Hong Jin Kong

The exponential index K in the Na 3s-5s two-photon transition as a function of detuning in the range from -186 to 172 GHz was experimentally investigated. The value of the K index varies from 2.0 to 1.6 and from 1.9 to 0.41 for the pumping intensities of 3.5 and 14 MW/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, respectively; they agree well with the theoretical prediction obtained from the optical Bloch equations.

Physical Review A•Mar 1, 1990•0 citations
The authors report an experimental investigation of the dependence of the selection rules for two-photon absorption as a function of the detuning from the real intermediate states of the laser light exciting the transition. The transition examined is the 3s-5s two-photon transition in atomic sodium. A clear wavelength dependence of the polarisation selection rules is observed, the range of which we attribute to saturation of the single-photon transition to the intermediate state.
The technique of two-photon absorption without Doppler broadening has made possible the observation of the Zeeman splitting of a transition between two 2S^{2}S2S states. Selection rules are discussed. The observed pattern of hyperfine components is narrower in very high fields than in zero field, in agreement with the theory.
The $3S\ensuremath{-}5S$ transition of Na atoms is induced by absorption of two photons, one each from two circularly polarized beams traveling in opposite directions through the vapor. The beams are derived from a tunable, narrow-band pulsed dye laser. Doppler broadening is absent and the hyperfine structure is resolved. The hyperfine interaction constant A5S{A}_{5S}A5S​ in the 5S5S5S state of the Na23{\mathrm{Na}}^{23}Na23 atom is determined to be 101\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15 MHz.
We have studied two-photon resonant three-photon ionization of atomic sodium vapor. A dye laser tuned to either the 4d or 5s two-photon allowed transition was used to excite the atom and a second more intense laser (λ = 7000 Å) was used for ionization. The ion yield was measured as a function of resonant laser intensity and detuning, the nonresonant laser intensity, and the temporal overlap of the exciting and ionizing laser pulses. We have found1 that at high laser intensities the photoionization yield decreases as the nonresonant laser intensity is increased. When tuned to the 5s level a value of ~−0.6 was obtained for the exponential index even with the resonant laser tuned to maximize the ion yield. A theoretical model including the effects of Stark shift of the ground state, power broadening of the intermediate level due to saturation of the two-photon transition and by rapid transitions to the ionization continuum was used to predict the experimental results. Good agreement between theory and experiment required the use of a photoionization cross section for the 5s level which was ~20 times greater than the accepted value. Results for photoionization from the 4d level are also presented.
An experimental investigation of the atomic-Na 3s 2^{2}2${\mathit{S}}_{1/2--}$5s 2^{2}2S1/2{\mathit{S}}_{1/2}S1/2​ two-color two-photon polarization spectrum has been made. Measurements of the linear polarization degree of the two-photon transition were made for one laser tuned within a \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}100 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ range of the atomic-Na 3p 2^{2}2Pj{\mathit{P}}_{\mathit{j}}Pj​ levels, with the second adjusted to satisfy the two-photon resonance condition. The relatively short-pulse (\ensuremath{\sim}0.5 ns) lasers used eliminate effects on the spectrum due to atomic-Na hyperfine interactions and radiation trapping, while greatly reducing depolarization due to collisions with Ar gas. In the absence of collisions, the measured polarization spectrum is in excellent agreement with calculations. Measurements of the Ar pressure dependence of the spectrum revealed strong depolarization in the vicinity of resonant excitation through the 3p 2^{2}2P3/2{\mathit{P}}_{3/2}P3/2​ level. A collisional depolarization cross section of 200(30) \AA{} for this process was deduced from the data.
The exponential index K in the Na 3s-5s two-photon transition as a function of detuning in the range from -186 to 172 GHz was experimentally investigated. The value of the K index varies from 2.0 to 1.6 and from 1.9 to 0.41 for the pumping intensities of 3.5 and 14 MW/cm2{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}cm2, respectively; they agree well with the theoretical prediction obtained from the optical Bloch equations.