Physical Review A
Magnetic resonances verified in agreement with an assumed time-asymmetric evolution
H.G. Weber, G. Miksch
Abstract
With use of a narrow-band laser, the free ${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}$ molecule is prepared in a well-defined excited state under conditions that correspond to an optical-frequency--radiofrequency double-resonance experiment. We observe a resonant increase or decrease (dependent on the divergence of the light beam) of the total fluorescence intensity when the radiofrequency field is in resonance with the Zeeman splitting in the ground or excited state of the laser-induced transition. These resonances differ significantly from well-known optical-rf double-resonance signals and laser saturation effects. The resonances are, however, well described with use of a model which assumes an irreversible evolution in the free ${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}$ molecule.