We report on a new effect which is observed when the small polyatomic molecule ${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}$ is prepared under collision-free conditions into an electronically excited state. As the intensity of the exciting laser light is varied, the degree of polarization of the fluorescence light may undergo a change in sign. The analysis of the experimental results confronts us with an interesting problem concerning the time evolution of an isolated polyatomic system. In this paper we present the experimental results and a simple model which successfully describes these results. According to this model, the inversion of the polarization of the fluorescence light is a consequence of light-induced stability of the optically prepared state.We report on a new effect which is observed when the small polyatomic molecule ${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}$ is prepared under collision-free conditions into an electronically excited state. As the intensity of the exciting laser light is varied, the degree of polarization of the fluorescence light may undergo a change in sign. The analysis of the experimental results confronts us with an interesting problem concerning the time evolution of an isolated polyatomic system. In this paper we present the experimental results and a simple model which successfully describes these results. According to this model, the inversion of the polarization of the fluorescence light is a consequence of light-induced stability of the optically prepared state.

Physical Review AJul 1, 198420 citations

Light-induced magnetization of a gas of optically polarized atoms

A.I. Alekseev

Optics and SpectroscopyApr 1, 19950 citations

Effect of inversion of polarization in laser-excited molecular beams

Wojciech Gawlik

In the paper by Weber, Bylicki, and Miksch [Phys. Rev. A 30, 270 (1984)] the ``inversion effect'' of the Hanle and rf double-resonance signals in ${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}$ molecules is explained with the questionable assumption of a ``light-induced stability of the optically prepared state.'' We give an alternative explanation of the ``inversion effect'' which is based on the nonstationarity of molecular perturbation by a laser and which is consistent with the present knowledge of interaction of laser light with matter.In the paper by Weber, Bylicki, and Miksch [Phys. Rev. A 30, 270 (1984)] the ``inversion effect'' of the Hanle and rf double-resonance signals in ${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}$ molecules is explained with the questionable assumption of a ``light-induced stability of the optically prepared state.'' We give an alternative explanation of the ``inversion effect'' which is based on the nonstationarity of molecular perturbation by a laser and which is consistent with the present knowledge of interaction of laser light with matter.

Physical Review AMar 1, 19873 citations

New polarization effects in atomic gases

T. Ya. Karagodova, Alexandr A. Zakharov, Alexander I. Karagodov

Optics and SpectroscopyFeb 1, 19970 citations

We report on a new effect which is observed when the small polyatomic molecule

{\mathrm{NO}}_{2}

is prepared under collision-free conditions into an electronically excited state. As the intensity of the exciting laser light is varied, the degree of polarization of the fluorescence light may undergo a change in sign. The analysis of the experimental results confronts us with an interesting problem concerning the time evolution of an isolated polyatomic system. In this paper we present the experimental results and a simple model which successfully describes these results. According to this model, the inversion of the polarization of the fluorescence light is a consequence of light-induced stability of the optically prepared state.

In the paper by Weber, Bylicki, and Miksch [Phys. Rev. A 30, 270 (1984)] the ``inversion effect'' of the Hanle and rf double-resonance signals in

{\mathrm{NO}}_{2}

molecules is explained with the questionable assumption of a ``light-induced stability of the optically prepared state.'' We give an alternative explanation of the ``inversion effect'' which is based on the nonstationarity of molecular perturbation by a laser and which is consistent with the present knowledge of interaction of laser light with matter.