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

Large polarization rotation via atomic coherence

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

Published Jul 1, 2001• 35 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report significant enhancement of the nonlinear Faraday rotation in optically thick Rb vapor. Polarization rotation angles as large as 10 rad were observed for what is believed to be the first time for sub-Gauss magnetic fields. The use of this effect for high-precision magnetometry is also discussed.
DOI
10.1364/ol.26.001016

Related papers

Nonlinear Faraday rotation and detection of superposition states in cold atoms

Adam M. Wojciechowski, Eric Corsini, Jerzy Zachorowski +1 more

We report on the observation of nonlinear Faraday rotation with cold atoms at a temperature of $~100$ $\ensuremath{\mu}$K. The observed nonlinear rotation of the light polarization plane is up to $0.1$ rad over the $1$-mm-size atomic cloud in approximately $10$-mG magnetic field. The nonlinearity of rotation results from long-lived coherence of ground-state Zeeman sublevels created by a near-resonant light. The method allows for creation, detection, and control of atomic superposition states. It also allows applications for precision magnetometry with high spatial and temporal resolution.

arXiv:1001.1629•Physical Review A•May 24, 2010•29 citations

Nonlinear magneto-optic polarization rotation with intense laser fields

Paul S. Hsu, Anil K. Patnaik, George R. Welch

We have studied the nonlinear Faraday effect of intense linear polarized light in an optically thick atomic rubidium vapor. We have shown that the polarization rotatation rate (rotation angle per unit magnetic field, in the limit of low field) reaches a saturation value as the intensity and density are increased.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jun 7, 2007•0 citations

Sensitive magnetometry based on nonlinear magneto-optical rotation

Dmitry Budker, Derek F. Jackson Kimball, Simon Rochester +2 more

Application of nonlinear magneto-optical (Faraday) rotation to magnetometry is investigated. Our experimental setup consists of a modulation polarimeter that measures rotation of the polarization plane of a laser beam resonant with transitions in Rb. Rb vapor is contained in an evacuated cell with antirelaxation coating that enables atomic ground-state polarization to survive many thousand wall collisions. This leads to ultranarrow features $(\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6} \mathrm{G})$ in the magnetic-field dependence of optical rotation. The potential sensitivity of this scheme to sub-$\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{G}$ magnetic fields as a function of atomic density, light intensity, and light frequency is investigated near the $D1$ and $D2$ lines of ${}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}.$ It is shown that through an appropriate choice of parameters the shot-noise-limited sensitivity to small magnetic fields can reach $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}12} \mathrm{G}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}.$

Physical Review A•Sep 11, 2000•335 citations

Nonlinear magneto-optic polarization rotation with intense laser fields

Paul S. Hsu, Anil K. Patnaik, George R. Welch

We have studied the nonlinear Faraday effect with intense linear polarized light in an optically thick atomic rubidium vapor. We demonstrate that the polarization rotation rate (rotation angle per unit magnetic field, in the limit of low field) has a maximum value as the intensity and density are increased. We also show that the optimal sensitivity of an optical magnetometer based on this system reaches a saturation value as the intensity and density are increased.

Physical Review A•Nov 14, 2008•12 citations

Wide range and highly sensitive atomic magnetometry with Rb vapor

S. M. Iftiquar

We have developed a technique in which Rb atomic response to weak magnetic field is high and an efficient rotation of linearly polarized laser beam results in efficient magnetometry. 85Rb isotope has been used for the magnetometry in an ordinary vapor cell without any paraffin coating to its inner wall. A linear regime of Faraday rotation of about 25 microT has been observed with atomic number density within the vapor cell of about 10^9 cm-3.

arXiv:0711.2663•Nov 16, 2007•0 citations

Optical rotation in excess of 100 rad generated by Rb vapor in a multipass cell

Lun Li, Pranjal Vachaspati, D. Sheng +2 more

Paramagnetic Faraday rotation is a powerful technique for atom sensing widely used in quantum nondemolition measurements, fundamental symmetry tests, and other precision measurements. We demonstrate the use of a multipass optical cell for Faraday rotation spectroscopy and observe polarization rotation in excess of 100 rad from spin-polarized Rb vapor. Unlike optical cavities, multipass cells have a deterministic number of light passes and can be used to measure large optical rotations. We also observe a tenfold suppression of transverse spin relaxation when Rb atoms are placed in a coherent superposition state immune to spin-exchange collisions.

Physical Review A•Dec 6, 2011•83 citations
We report on the observation of nonlinear Faraday rotation with cold atoms at a temperature of  100~100 100 $\ensuremath{\mu}$K. The observed nonlinear rotation of the light polarization plane is up to 0.10.10.1 rad over the 111-mm-size atomic cloud in approximately 101010-mG magnetic field. The nonlinearity of rotation results from long-lived coherence of ground-state Zeeman sublevels created by a near-resonant light. The method allows for creation, detection, and control of atomic superposition states. It also allows applications for precision magnetometry with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Application of nonlinear magneto-optical (Faraday) rotation to magnetometry is investigated. Our experimental setup consists of a modulation polarimeter that measures rotation of the polarization plane of a laser beam resonant with transitions in Rb. Rb vapor is contained in an evacuated cell with antirelaxation coating that enables atomic ground-state polarization to survive many thousand wall collisions. This leads to ultranarrow features $(\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6} \mathrm{G})$ in the magnetic-field dependence of optical rotation. The potential sensitivity of this scheme to sub-$\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{G}$ magnetic fields as a function of atomic density, light intensity, and light frequency is investigated near the D1D1D1 and D2D2D2 lines of 85Rb.{}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}.85Rb. It is shown that through an appropriate choice of parameters the shot-noise-limited sensitivity to small magnetic fields can reach $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}12} \mathrm{G}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}.$
Paramagnetic Faraday rotation is a powerful technique for atom sensing widely used in quantum nondemolition measurements, fundamental symmetry tests, and other precision measurements. We demonstrate the use of a multipass optical cell for Faraday rotation spectroscopy and observe polarization rotation in excess of 100 rad from spin-polarized Rb vapor. Unlike optical cavities, multipass cells have a deterministic number of light passes and can be used to measure large optical rotations. We also observe a tenfold suppression of transverse spin relaxation when Rb atoms are placed in a coherent superposition state immune to spin-exchange collisions.