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

Optics Letters

Observation of Ramsey fringes in an atomic cell with buffer gas

Alexander S. Zibrov, Irina V. Novikova, Andrey B. Matsko

Published Sep 1, 2001• 38 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Temporal Ramsey fringes that are due to light scattering by coherently prepared rubidium atoms diffusing through a cell containing neon as a buffer gas have been observed. The effect leads to increasing magneto-optical rotation of cw light polarization at weak magnetic fields.
DOI
10.1364/ol.26.001311

Related papers

Optical Ramsey fringes induced by Zeeman coherence

Alexander S. Zibrov, Andrey B. Matsko

We utilize a two-photon polarization spectroscopy technique to observe Ramsey fringes that appear due to light scattering by coherently prepared rubidium atoms. We examine the effect in a vapor cell for spatially and temporally separated laser fields. We present a theoretical interpretation of the experimental results.

Physical Review A•Dec 14, 2001•35 citations

Optical Ramsey fringes observed during temporal evolution of Zeeman coherences in Rb buffer gas cell

Stanko N. Nikolić, Milan Radonjić, Nemanja Lučić +2 more

We experimentally studied the temporal evolution of Zeeman electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) resonances induced by the laser resonant to hyperfine transition of 87Rb in a rubidium buffer gas cell. We simultaneously modulated the laser beam intensity and polarization to achieve the repeated interaction of the laser beam with coherently prepared atoms. Our cell was placed in a homogenous magnetic field to obtain the Larmor precession of the phase of coherences. The weak laser beam was used to probe the atoms at the end of the Ramsey sequence. We measured the transparency of the probe pulse at different magnetic fields for a given excitation pulse and the period of free evolution of Zeeman coherences in the dark. From these data, we reconstructed the temporal evolution of EIT resonances. The Ramsey fringes that appeared on the EIT curves at the beginning of the second probing pulse disappeared at later moments due to various decay processes.

Physica Scripta•Sep 1, 2014•1 citation

Influence of a buffer gas on nonlinear magneto-optical polarization rotation

Irina V. Novikova, Andrey B. Matsko, George R. Welch

We show experimentally that the presence of a buffer gas in a rubidium vapor cell modifies significantly the nonlinear magneto-optical rotation of polarization of near-resonant light propagating through the cell. We observe not only the well-known narrowing of the nonlinear magneto-optical resonances, but also changes in their shape and visibility. We explain these effects in terms of coherence-preserving, velocity-changing collisions between rubidium and buffer gas atoms.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Jan 1, 2005•33 citations

Ramsey-fringe shape in an alkali-metal vapor cell with buffer gas

Salvatore Micalizio, Claudio Eligio Calosso, Filippo Levi +1 more

In this paper we describe a few phenomena that may affect the linewidth and/or the line shape of Ramsey fringes observed in an alkali-metal vapor cell with buffer gas. Experiments are performed on a vapor-cell--microwave-cavity arrangement in which ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms successively experience laser pumping preparation (through a ${D}_{2}$ line), microwave interrogation with a couple of coherent pulses, and clock signal detection by means of laser absorption. We show that the linewidth of the Ramsey central fringe is influenced by the Rabi pattern produced by a single microwave pulse. Moreover, cycle memory and atomic density effects can modify the shape of the Ramsey central fringe from the common sinusoidal behavior. A simple three-level model well reproduces the experimental observations.

Physical Review A•Sep 3, 2013•14 citations

High contrast transparent ramsey fringes using microwave pulses interaction with atomic coherent state in warm rubidium vapor

Yisheng Ma Yisheng, Jianliao Deng Jianliao Deng, Zhengfeng Hu Zhengfeng Hu +2 more

High contrast transparent Ramsey fringes are observed using double microwave pulses interaction with the prepared atomic coherent state in a warm 87 Rb vapor with mixture buffer gases in a closed cell.The Ramsey fringes are generated by the pulsed technique, a strong coupling light pulse and a weak signal light pulse are applied to prepare the atomic coherent state, followed by the application of double microwave pulses to interact with the atomic coherent state.Afterwards, the light pulses are applied again with weaker intensity and detecting the signal transmission is delected.The central line of the transparent Ramsey fringes has narrow linewidth of 125 Hz and high contrast of 21%.The light shift is dramatically reduced since the interrogating process is not involved the light field, and the cavity pulling effect is negligible due to the low Q requirement, which is promising for building small, compact, and stable atomic clocks.

Chinese Optics Letters•Jan 1, 2013•1 citation

Time-dependent resonant magneto-optical rotation

D. Dziczek

Results of a fairly straightforward experiment on resonant magneto-optical rotation by rubidium-87 atoms revealed strong time-dependence of the polarization plane of light emerging from atomic vapors following a sudden irradiation with a laser beam. The rotation of the plane appears as a not direct consequence of the influence of the magnetic field on atoms. Reported measurements conducted using a vapor cell without any buffer gas or an anti-relaxation wall coating show that transmitted light has initially the same (linear) polarization as the incident one. Rotation of the polarization plane caused by an axial magnetic field develops in time scales similar to the pace of establishing the optical pumping/relaxation equilibrium in the atomic ensemble. The traditional passive Faraday rotation picture providing working description for the resonant magneto-optical effects in steady-state conditions does not explain the observed sequence of evolution of the polarization. The picture has to be augmented with analysis of time dependence in the spatial distribution of relevant quantum states within the atomic ensemble as well as longitudinal and transversal intensity profiles of the light beam. Isolation of external effects caused by the optical pumping and relaxation processes from consequences of internal atomic coherences should uncover more details of mechanisms of the latter in the presence of magnetic field. Plentitude of data available from time-dependent polarization measurements provides strong incentives for further development and tests of comprehensive models of coherent interactions of atomic ensembles with radiation and possibly a base for additional advance in understanding and applications of these phenomena.

arXiv:1501.00608•Jan 3, 2015•0 citations
We experimentally studied the temporal evolution of Zeeman electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) resonances induced by the laser resonant to hyperfine transition of 87Rb in a rubidium buffer gas cell. We simultaneously modulated the laser beam intensity and polarization to achieve the repeated interaction of the laser beam with coherently prepared atoms. Our cell was placed in a homogenous magnetic field to obtain the Larmor precession of the phase of coherences. The weak laser beam was used to probe the atoms at the end of the Ramsey sequence. We measured the transparency of the probe pulse at different magnetic fields for a given excitation pulse and the period of free evolution of Zeeman coherences in the dark. From these data, we reconstructed the temporal evolution of EIT resonances. The Ramsey fringes that appeared on the EIT curves at the beginning of the second probing pulse disappeared at later moments due to various decay processes.
In this paper we describe a few phenomena that may affect the linewidth and/or the line shape of Ramsey fringes observed in an alkali-metal vapor cell with buffer gas. Experiments are performed on a vapor-cell--microwave-cavity arrangement in which 87Rb{}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb atoms successively experience laser pumping preparation (through a D2{D}_{2}D2​ line), microwave interrogation with a couple of coherent pulses, and clock signal detection by means of laser absorption. We show that the linewidth of the Ramsey central fringe is influenced by the Rabi pattern produced by a single microwave pulse. Moreover, cycle memory and atomic density effects can modify the shape of the Ramsey central fringe from the common sinusoidal behavior. A simple three-level model well reproduces the experimental observations.
High contrast transparent Ramsey fringes are observed using double microwave pulses interaction with the prepared atomic coherent state in a warm 87 Rb vapor with mixture buffer gases in a closed cell.The Ramsey fringes are generated by the pulsed technique, a strong coupling light pulse and a weak signal light pulse are applied to prepare the atomic coherent state, followed by the application of double microwave pulses to interact with the atomic coherent state.Afterwards, the light pulses are applied again with weaker intensity and detecting the signal transmission is delected.The central line of the transparent Ramsey fringes has narrow linewidth of 125 Hz and high contrast of 21%.The light shift is dramatically reduced since the interrogating process is not involved the light field, and the cavity pulling effect is negligible due to the low Q requirement, which is promising for building small, compact, and stable atomic clocks.
Results of a fairly straightforward experiment on resonant magneto-optical rotation by rubidium-87 atoms revealed strong time-dependence of the polarization plane of light emerging from atomic vapors following a sudden irradiation with a laser beam. The rotation of the plane appears as a not direct consequence of the influence of the magnetic field on atoms. Reported measurements conducted using a vapor cell without any buffer gas or an anti-relaxation wall coating show that transmitted light has initially the same (linear) polarization as the incident one. Rotation of the polarization plane caused by an axial magnetic field develops in time scales similar to the pace of establishing the optical pumping/relaxation equilibrium in the atomic ensemble. The traditional passive Faraday rotation picture providing working description for the resonant magneto-optical effects in steady-state conditions does not explain the observed sequence of evolution of the polarization. The picture has to be augmented with analysis of time dependence in the spatial distribution of relevant quantum states within the atomic ensemble as well as longitudinal and transversal intensity profiles of the light beam. Isolation of external effects caused by the optical pumping and relaxation processes from consequences of internal atomic coherences should uncover more details of mechanisms of the latter in the presence of magnetic field. Plentitude of data available from time-dependent polarization measurements provides strong incentives for further development and tests of comprehensive models of coherent interactions of atomic ensembles with radiation and possibly a base for additional advance in understanding and applications of these phenomena.