When we rotate matter the nuclei follow the macroscopic motion. One may ask whether the atomic electrons also follow the rotation microscopically. If they do, a mechanical Faraday effect arises. We discuss the connection between the mechanical Faraday effect and the usual (i.e., magnetic) Faraday effect. As material medium we consider resonant atoms immersed in a high‐density buffer gas. The electronic wave functions of the resonant atoms are predicted to be rotationally coupled to the buffer gas as soon as nonimpact broadening becomes appreciable at line center. Preliminary experimental results for the case Rb+Xe indicate that this occurs for Xe pressures of a few atmospheres.When we rotate matter the nuclei follow the macroscopic motion. One may ask whether the atomic electrons also follow the rotation microscopically. If they do, a mechanical Faraday effect arises. We discuss the connection between the mechanical Faraday effect and the usual (i.e., magnetic) Faraday effect. As material medium we consider resonant atoms immersed in a high‐density buffer gas. The electronic wave functions of the resonant atoms are predicted to be rotationally coupled to the buffer gas as soon as nonimpact broadening becomes appreciable at line center. Preliminary experimental results for the case Rb+Xe indicate that this occurs for Xe pressures of a few atmospheres.

AIP conference proceedingsJan 1, 19930 citations

Magneto-optical rotation in an atomic vapour

F. Schuller, M.J.D. Macpherson, Derek N. Stacey

Optics CommunicationsMay 1, 198929 citations

Nanosecond-timescale development of Faraday rotation in an ultracold gas

Jonathan R. Gilbert, Mark A. Watkins, Jacob Roberts

When a gas of ultracold atoms is suddenly illuminated by light that is nearly resonant with an atomic transition, the atoms cannot respond instantaneously. This noninstantaneous response means the gas is initially more transparent to the applied light than in steady state. The timescale associated with the development of light absorption is set by the atomic excited-state lifetime. Similarly, the index of refraction in the gas also requires time to reach a steady-state value, but the development of the associated phase response is expected to be slower than absorption effects. Faraday rotation is one manifestation of differing indices of refraction for orthogonal circular light polarization components. We have performed experiments measuring the time-dependent development of polarization rotation in an ultracold gas subjected to a magnetic field. Our measurements match theoretical predictions based on solving optical Bloch equations. We are able to identify how parameters such as steady-state optical thickness and applied magnetic field strength influence the development of Faraday rotation.When a gas of ultracold atoms is suddenly illuminated by light that is nearly resonant with an atomic transition, the atoms cannot respond instantaneously. This noninstantaneous response means the gas is initially more transparent to the applied light than in steady state. The timescale associated with the development of light absorption is set by the atomic excited-state lifetime. Similarly, the index of refraction in the gas also requires time to reach a steady-state value, but the development of the associated phase response is expected to be slower than absorption effects. Faraday rotation is one manifestation of differing indices of refraction for orthogonal circular light polarization components. We have performed experiments measuring the time-dependent development of polarization rotation in an ultracold gas subjected to a magnetic field. Our measurements match theoretical predictions based on solving optical Bloch equations. We are able to identify how parameters such as steady-state optical thickness and applied magnetic field strength influence the development of Faraday rotation.

arXiv:1912.07553Physical Review AMay 20, 20200 citations

Faraday effect as a probe of hindered electronic precession in atoms

M. Kristensen, Martijn A. van Eijkelenborg, J. P. Woerdman

We compare the Faraday spectrum with the dispersion spectrum near the ${\mathit{D}}_{2}$ line of Rb atoms immersed in a high density Xe buffer gas. We observe deviations from the standard Becquerel relation, which relates the Faraday effect of an atomic gas to its dispersion. The deviations are due to coupling of the Rb valence electron to the Xe environment. The Rb ${\mathit{D}}_{2}$ transition dipole moment becomes rotationally locked to the instantaneous collision axes at Xe densities of \ensuremath{\sim} ${10}^{20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$.We compare the Faraday spectrum with the dispersion spectrum near the ${\mathit{D}}_{2}$ line of Rb atoms immersed in a high density Xe buffer gas. We observe deviations from the standard Becquerel relation, which relates the Faraday effect of an atomic gas to its dispersion. The deviations are due to coupling of the Rb valence electron to the Xe environment. The Rb ${\mathit{D}}_{2}$ transition dipole moment becomes rotationally locked to the instantaneous collision axes at Xe densities of \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$.

Physical Review LettersApr 4, 19946 citations

Recoil-Induced Optical Faraday Rotation

B. Dubetsky, P. R. Berman

Springer eBooksJan 1, 19961 citation

We compare the Faraday spectrum with the dispersion spectrum near the

{\mathit{D}}_{2}

line of Rb atoms immersed in a high density Xe buffer gas. We observe deviations from the standard Becquerel relation, which relates the Faraday effect of an atomic gas to its dispersion. The deviations are due to coupling of the Rb valence electron to the Xe environment. The Rb

{\mathit{D}}_{2}

transition dipole moment becomes rotationally locked to the instantaneous collision axes at Xe densities of \ensuremath{\sim}

{10}^{20}

${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$.