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 the Optical Society of America B

Laser-induced fluorescence line narrowing in atomic vapors

Th. Meier, Hans A. Schuessler

Published Apr 1, 1984• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

The use of highly monochromatic light permits the selective excitation of atoms in vapors if excitation and detection of the fluorescence is carried out collinearly. The atoms capable of absorbing light then form an atomic beam of well-defined velocity along the direction of the laser beam, but no velocity selection occurs perpendicular to it. The potential of the technique for Doppler-free atomic spectroscopy and for the study of excited atom collisions is demonstrated by using the Na D1 line as an example.

DOI
10.1364/josab.1.000161

Related papers

Laser-induced fluorescence line narrowing in atomic vapors

Th. Meier, Hans A. Schuessler

The use of highly monochromatic light permits the selective excitation of atoms in vapors if excitation and detection of the fluorescence is carried out collinearly. The atoms capable of absorbing light then form an atomic beam of well-defined velocity along the direction of the laser beam, but no velocity selection occurs perpendicular to it. The potential of the technique for Doppler-free atomic spectroscopy and for the study of excited atom collisions is demonstrated by using the Na D1 line as an example.

NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N•Sep 1, 1983•0 citations

Nonlinear Doppler-free spectroscopy of atoms near a surface

Pierre Simoneau, S. Le Boiteux, C. De Araujo +2 more

Up to now, Doppler-free nonlinear spectroscopy has been applied to atoms inside a gas medium (volume spectroscopy). We have extended these methods to atoms in the vicinity of a surface. The basic principle consists of monitoring reflectivity changes produced when a laser beam, incident on a glass–vapor interface, is brought into resonance with an atomic transition. For Doppler-free spectroscopy, two counterpropagating beams are used to operate velocity selection. If these two beams are under normal incidence in the glass—velocity selection perpendicular to the surface—one observes saturated dispersion (selective reflection sensitive to the real index). For incidence angles in the glass (prism) larger than the critical angle (total internal reflection), a standing evanescent wave is produced in the gas (velocity selection along the surface), and saturated absorption is detected. Experimental demonstration was performed on the Na resonance line; high sensitivity (10−4 relative reflectivity change) and spectral resolution as good as 20 MHz were obtained. The main limitation to better resolution comes from the short atomic transit time in the evanescent wave (typical extension ~λ). Relevant applications of these techniques should also concern the diagnostics of optically thick media, as analysis of interaction between gas-phase atoms and the surface, notably atom–wall collisions, and modification of the spontaneous emission characteristics.

International Laser Science Conference•Jan 1, 1986•0 citations

Observation of optical pumping effects in collinear atomic beam - laser beam(s) interaction

N. Bendali, H. T. Duong, J.M. Saint Jalm +1 more

The detection of optical resonances by observation of the fluorescence light emitted from a fast atomic beam of Na interacting with a collinear laser beam is limited in sensitivity by optical pumping processes. In the experiment reported here, we take advantage of the optical pumping by using a second collinear laser beam, achieving then a gain in fluorescence signal. The effects of the lasers power and polarization on line shapes have been studied in the single laser excitation case as well as in the two laser beams one.

Journal de physique•Jan 1, 1983•7 citations

Sub-Doppler atomic vapor photon detection via electromagnetically induced transparency

Tiffany L. Correll, Nicolo’ Omenetto, Benjamin W. Smith +1 more

High spectral resolution photon detection has been achieved by exploiting the narrow absorption features of gas phase atoms. Velocity-selective excitation and coherent optical effects have allowed for increased spectral discrimination and laser Doppler velocimetry.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2003•0 citations

SEPARATION OF A GAS MIXTURE BY A SEMIPERMEABLE OPTICAL PISTON

H. G. C. Werij, J. P. Woerdman, J.J.M. Beenakker +1 more

We have observed effective separation of Na vapor from a buffer gas using the principle of laser induced drift1. The basic idea is as follows. A travelling laser beam produces velocity-selective saturation of optically absorbing atoms, by means of the Doppler effect. This yields opposing fluxes of excited and unexcited atoms. Both fluxes feel different diffusion resistances in the buffer gas, since the collision cross sections σ* and σ of the absorbing atoms are generally state-dependent. This results in a net flux of the absorbing atoms. It should be noted that this mechanical action of the light field is completely different from (and much stronger than) the well known radiation pressure.2

•Jun 18, 1984•0 citations

On the Sub-Doppler Spectroscopy of Optically Excited Atoms in a Thin Gas Cell

А. Ч. Измайлов

This work continues a theoretical investigation of the capabilities of the well-known method based on using a monochromatic probe light beam in combination with optical pumping of atoms (molecules) of a rarefied-gas medium by a broadband radiation in a thin cell the diameter of which is much larger than its internal thickness. In contrast to calculations carried out in the previous publications on this method of spectroscopy, here, we consider the case of arbitrary values of pump intensity and thickness of a cylindrical gas cell. Thus, all the possible mechanisms and specificities of velocity selection of atoms in optically excited levels caused by transit-time relaxation of such atoms in gas cells of this kind are analyzed. Within the framework of this approach, sub-Doppler absorption resonances of the probe light beam corresponding to quantum transitions from the upper level excited by optical pumping are investigated. The obtained results can be used in high-resolution spectroscopy of atoms (molecules), as well as for laser-frequency stabilization to established narrow spectral resonances.

Optics and Spectroscopy•Jun 1, 2018•1 citation
The use of highly monochromatic light permits the selective excitation of atoms in vapors if excitation and detection of the fluorescence is carried out collinearly. The atoms capable of absorbing light then form an atomic beam of well-defined velocity along the direction of the laser beam, but no velocity selection occurs perpendicular to it. The potential of the technique for Doppler-free atomic spectroscopy and for the study of excited atom collisions is demonstrated by using the Na D1 line as an example.
The use of highly monochromatic light permits the selective excitation of atoms in vapors if excitation and detection of the fluorescence is carried out collinearly. The atoms capable of absorbing light then form an atomic beam of well-defined velocity along the direction of the laser beam, but no velocity selection occurs perpendicular to it. The potential of the technique for Doppler-free atomic spectroscopy and for the study of excited atom collisions is demonstrated by using the Na D1 line as an example.
Up to now, Doppler-free nonlinear spectroscopy has been applied to atoms inside a gas medium (volume spectroscopy). We have extended these methods to atoms in the vicinity of a surface. The basic principle consists of monitoring reflectivity changes produced when a laser beam, incident on a glass–vapor interface, is brought into resonance with an atomic transition. For Doppler-free spectroscopy, two counterpropagating beams are used to operate velocity selection. If these two beams are under normal incidence in the glass—velocity selection perpendicular to the surface—one observes saturated dispersion (selective reflection sensitive to the real index). For incidence angles in the glass (prism) larger than the critical angle (total internal reflection), a standing evanescent wave is produced in the gas (velocity selection along the surface), and saturated absorption is detected. Experimental demonstration was performed on the Na resonance line; high sensitivity (10−4 relative reflectivity change) and spectral resolution as good as 20 MHz were obtained. The main limitation to better resolution comes from the short atomic transit time in the evanescent wave (typical extension ~λ). Relevant applications of these techniques should also concern the diagnostics of optically thick media, as analysis of interaction between gas-phase atoms and the surface, notably atom–wall collisions, and modification of the spontaneous emission characteristics.
The detection of optical resonances by observation of the fluorescence light emitted from a fast atomic beam of Na interacting with a collinear laser beam is limited in sensitivity by optical pumping processes. In the experiment reported here, we take advantage of the optical pumping by using a second collinear laser beam, achieving then a gain in fluorescence signal. The effects of the lasers power and polarization on line shapes have been studied in the single laser excitation case as well as in the two laser beams one.
We have observed effective separation of Na vapor from a buffer gas using the principle of laser induced drift1. The basic idea is as follows. A travelling laser beam produces velocity-selective saturation of optically absorbing atoms, by means of the Doppler effect. This yields opposing fluxes of excited and unexcited atoms. Both fluxes feel different diffusion resistances in the buffer gas, since the collision cross sections σ* and σ of the absorbing atoms are generally state-dependent. This results in a net flux of the absorbing atoms. It should be noted that this mechanical action of the light field is completely different from (and much stronger than) the well known radiation pressure.2
This work continues a theoretical investigation of the capabilities of the well-known method based on using a monochromatic probe light beam in combination with optical pumping of atoms (molecules) of a rarefied-gas medium by a broadband radiation in a thin cell the diameter of which is much larger than its internal thickness. In contrast to calculations carried out in the previous publications on this method of spectroscopy, here, we consider the case of arbitrary values of pump intensity and thickness of a cylindrical gas cell. Thus, all the possible mechanisms and specificities of velocity selection of atoms in optically excited levels caused by transit-time relaxation of such atoms in gas cells of this kind are analyzed. Within the framework of this approach, sub-Doppler absorption resonances of the probe light beam corresponding to quantum transitions from the upper level excited by optical pumping are investigated. The obtained results can be used in high-resolution spectroscopy of atoms (molecules), as well as for laser-frequency stabilization to established narrow spectral resonances.