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American Journal of Physics

Nonlinear laser spectroscopy and magneto-optics

Dmitry Budker, Donald J. Orlando, Valeriy V. Yashchuk

Published Jul 1, 1999• 64 citations
Publisher

Abstract

An experiment on nonlinear laser spectroscopy and magneto-optics at the Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory at Berkeley is described. The experiment consists of three parts. In the first part, students learn to operate a diode laser system and characterize its performance using a Fabry–Perot spectrum analyzer. In the second part, Doppler-broadened laser-induced fluorescence and Doppler-free saturated absorption spectra of the rubidium D2 line (780 nm) are recorded and analyzed. Finally, in the third part of the experiment, which we describe in greater detail, the near-resonant magneto-optical rotation is investigated. Nonlinear light-atom interaction leads to spectacular manifestations of the resonant Faraday effect—polarization plane rotation in a magnetic field applied along the direction of light propagation radically different from the linear case. In particular, narrow (∼30 Hz) effective line widths are observed in this experiment corresponding to a rotation enhancement by some seven orders of magnitude compared to the linear Faraday rotation.

DOI
10.1119/1.19328

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The aim of this book is to present new results in rapidly developing fields of nonlinear optics such as atomic coherence, magneto-optics of atomic media, Doppler-free spectroscopy, time-domain spectroscopy of dense atomic vapors, frequency comb spectroscopy and atom-surface interactions. The discovery of such coherent effects as coherent population trapping (CPT), electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) opened a new avenue for development in many fields of nonlinear optics. Investigations during the last decade have shown many related new results and approaches in nonlinear optics. These include nonlinear magneto-optical processes (NMOP) in the context of high precision magnetometry, quantum information storage and processing, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic particle detection; the use of ultra-thin (nanometric length) atomic vapor cells in magneto-optical experiments, which show new peculiarities of both coherent effects and NMOP; the use of frequency and amplitude modulated laser beams for NMOP studies in atomic vapors with the aim of extending the range of ultra-precise magnetometers to stronger, particularly geomagnetic fields; application of the counter-propagating beam technique to reveal the Doppler free nonlinear Faraday rotation signals, as a spectroscopic tool and for applications; enhanced nonlinearity due to atomic coherence in multi-state systems; experimental study of EIT in solids; the use of the phase stabilized frequency domain combs of femtosecond laser pulses for velocity selective optical pumping of atomic hyperfine levels, as a direct frequency comb spectroscopy; time-domain nonlinear spectroscopy of dense atomic vapors; atom-surface interactions and laser induced adsorption and desorption of alkali atoms on the surface of solid materials for nanotechnology applications

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Enhanced nonlinear magneto-optical rotation in cold atoms: A theoretical study

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We theoretically investigate magneto-optical rotation (MOR) of a linearly polarized probe field in the four-level N-type cold atoms. By applying a static magnetic field and a weak coupling field, it is shown that the birefringence enhancement is induced in the system. Moreover, we show that the static magnetic field has a major role in switching the dichroism to enhanced birefringence in the system. We also obtain a large intensity for the output field with nearly perpendicular MOR angle by 88 degrees with subnatural width. It is demonstrated that Doppler broadening has a destructive effect on the MOR of the polarization direction of the probe field. The results of our study can be used for selecting narrow band of wavelengths and polarization converter for efficient switching of TM/TE polarization modes in optical communication, the depolarization backscattering lidar, polarization spectroscopy and precision measurements.

Scientific Reports•Apr 19, 2019•69 citations
An experiment on nonlinear laser spectroscopy and magneto-optics at the Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory at Berkeley is described. The experiment consists of three parts. In the first part, students learn to operate a diode laser system and characterize its performance using a Fabry–Perot spectrum analyzer. In the second part, Doppler-broadened laser-induced fluorescence and Doppler-free saturated absorption spectra of the rubidium D2 line (780 nm) are recorded and analyzed. Finally, in the third part of the experiment, which we describe in greater detail, the near-resonant magneto-optical rotation is investigated. Nonlinear light-atom interaction leads to spectacular manifestations of the resonant Faraday effect—polarization plane rotation in a magnetic field applied along the direction of light propagation radically different from the linear case. In particular, narrow (∼30 Hz) effective line widths are observed in this experiment corresponding to a rotation enhancement by some seven orders of magnitude compared to the linear Faraday rotation.
Nonlinear in laser power, near-resonant light-atom interaction leads to a number of spectacular modifications of a well-known effect -polarization plane rotation in a magnetic field applied along the direction of light propagation.In particular, the rotation can be enhanced by up to nine orders of magnitude compared to the linear case.Faraday effect [ 1 ] is the rotation of the plane of linear light polarization by a medium in a magnetic field applied in the direction of light propagation.In 1898, Macaluso and Corbino eJ, studying absorption spectra of the alkali atoms in the presence of magnetic fields, discovered that the Faraday effect in the vicinity of resonance absorption lines also had a distinct resonant character.The essence of the Macaluso-Corbino effect can be illustrated by considering a simple case of a F= 1 ~ F'=O transition (Fig. 1 ).Linearly polarized light incident on the sample can be resolved into two counter-rotating circular components ( cr~.In the absence of a magnetic field, the M=±l sublevels are degenerate and the optical resonance
In this paper, we describe two complementary nonlinear spectroscopy methods which both allow one to achieve Doppler-free spectra of atomic gases. First, saturated absorption spectroscopy is used to investigate the structure of the 5S 1/2 → 5P 3/2 transition in rubidium. Using a slightly modified experimental setup, Doppler-free two-photon absorption spectroscopy is then performed on the 5S 1/2 → 5D 5/2 transition in rubidium, leading to accurate measurements of the hyperfine structure of the 5D 5/2 energy level. In addition, electric dipole selection rules of the two-photon transition are investigated, first by modifying the polarization of the excitation laser, and then by measuring two-photon absorption spectra when a magnetic field is applied close to the rubidium vapour. All experiments are performed with the same grating-feedback laser diode, providing an opportunity to compare different high-resolution spectroscopy methods using a single experimental setup. Such experiments may acquaint students with quantum mechanics selection rules, atomic spectra and Zeeman effect.
The aim of this book is to present new results in rapidly developing fields of nonlinear optics such as atomic coherence, magneto-optics of atomic media, Doppler-free spectroscopy, time-domain spectroscopy of dense atomic vapors, frequency comb spectroscopy and atom-surface interactions. The discovery of such coherent effects as coherent population trapping (CPT), electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) opened a new avenue for development in many fields of nonlinear optics. Investigations during the last decade have shown many related new results and approaches in nonlinear optics. These include nonlinear magneto-optical processes (NMOP) in the context of high precision magnetometry, quantum information storage and processing, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic particle detection; the use of ultra-thin (nanometric length) atomic vapor cells in magneto-optical experiments, which show new peculiarities of both coherent effects and NMOP; the use of frequency and amplitude modulated laser beams for NMOP studies in atomic vapors with the aim of extending the range of ultra-precise magnetometers to stronger, particularly geomagnetic fields; application of the counter-propagating beam technique to reveal the Doppler free nonlinear Faraday rotation signals, as a spectroscopic tool and for applications; enhanced nonlinearity due to atomic coherence in multi-state systems; experimental study of EIT in solids; the use of the phase stabilized frequency domain combs of femtosecond laser pulses for velocity selective optical pumping of atomic hyperfine levels, as a direct frequency comb spectroscopy; time-domain nonlinear spectroscopy of dense atomic vapors; atom-surface interactions and laser induced adsorption and desorption of alkali atoms on the surface of solid materials for nanotechnology applications
A general equation is constructed for magneto-optical spectra. The incident laser beam has an arbitrary polarization and its direction is arbitrary relative to the magnetic field. The analyzer has an arbitrary extinction ratio function. The Faraday and Voigt formulas are deduced as special solutions. From the generalized Faraday formula, the absorption spectra of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ light are measured without influence of the birefringence. The circular dichroism is estimated. The measured spectra clearly show the frequency shifts of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ light. The magnitude of the shift for a magnetic field of 0.015 T is twice as large as the Doppler width for the Cs D2{\mathit{D}}_{2}D2​ line. These shifts are induced by the Larmor precession defined by the fine-structure g factor. The Larmor precession does not induce a real shift of Zeeman levels, but induces a phase shift of optical coherence through the Rabi frequency.
We theoretically investigate magneto-optical rotation (MOR) of a linearly polarized probe field in the four-level N-type cold atoms. By applying a static magnetic field and a weak coupling field, it is shown that the birefringence enhancement is induced in the system. Moreover, we show that the static magnetic field has a major role in switching the dichroism to enhanced birefringence in the system. We also obtain a large intensity for the output field with nearly perpendicular MOR angle by 88 degrees with subnatural width. It is demonstrated that Doppler broadening has a destructive effect on the MOR of the polarization direction of the probe field. The results of our study can be used for selecting narrow band of wavelengths and polarization converter for efficient switching of TM/TE polarization modes in optical communication, the depolarization backscattering lidar, polarization spectroscopy and precision measurements.