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

Modern Physics Letters B

Rotating Polarization Probing of Elastic and Inelastic Scatterings

Olivier Émile, Fabien Bretenaker, A. Le Floch

Published Mar 10, 1997• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

The recent technical advances in the creation of rapidly rotating light polarizations are shown to provide new tools to explore elastic and inelastic scattering phenomena. In the case of inelastic scattering, the light fluoresced by atoms or molecules coherently excited by a rapidly rotating linear polarization is expected to exhibit new resonances. Such resonances, due to the transfer of coherence from light to atoms or molecules, are theoretically studied and experimentally observed. They provide simple methods to probe atomic internal constants, such as energy level life-times. The analogy between those resonances and the Hanle effect suggests new experiments in atomic physics. In the case of elastic scattering such as the one encountered during propagation through a dense turbid medium, the rotating linear polarization is shown to be an ideal tool to extract the ballistic photons from the large background of diffused light. This permits to image tiny objects embedded in a dense turbid medium, with an experimental resolution similar to the one obtained in usual homogeneous optical system.

DOI
10.1142/s0217984997000293

Related papers

Rotating Polarization-Induced Resonance in Atoms and Molecules

Olivier Émile, Fabien Bretenaker, A. Le Floch

The existence of a novel resonance in the modulation of the fluorescence light emitted by an atom or a molecule when coherently excited by a rapidly rotating linearly polarized light beam is predicted. Such resonances are experimentally observed due to a transfer of coherence from light to atoms or molecules, via either stimulated emission or absorption of light, without having to shift the positions of the levels by an external perturbation. These resonances directly permit the measurement of energy level lifetimes, even in the case where usual magnetic resonance methods would require the use of large magnetic fields.

Physical Review Letters•Sep 4, 1995•6 citations

Spectra of multiphoton molecular scattering of laser light

S. Kielich

A review is given of experimental and theoretical achievements in studies of multiphoton spontaneous scattering processes in atomic and molecular media. An analysis is made of integral multiphoton scattering, particularly of scattering in statistically inhomogeneous media with short-range quasiorder. A study of the intensity of the noncoherent multiphoton scattering component provides direct information on the nonlinear polarizability of atoms and molecules whilst the coherent component is associated with various atomic and molecular correlation mechanisms. An analysis of the spectra of elastic and inelastic multiphoton scattering processes yields information on the translational and rotational motion of the molecules. In particular, it is possible to measure the higher-order rotational relaxation times and to verify the adequacy of the various stochastic models of molecular motion. Observations of the spectral lines of three- or more-photon scattering, which obeys new selection rules, yield detail on the fine structure of the molecules and their linear and nonlinear vibrations. Examples are given of the most interesting spectra of three- or more-photon scattering in gases, liquids, and crystals obtained in singleand multichannel systems. The stochastic theory of multiphoton scattering in liquids is discussed, using the spherical tensor concept. The derived general expression reduces to known results for certain cases.

Soviet Journal of Quantum Electronics•Dec 31, 1977•0 citations

Collision-induced spin noise

Shiming Song, Min Jiang, Yushu Qin +5 more

Collision phenomena are ubiquitous and of importance in determining the microscopic structures and intermolecular interactions of atoms and molecules. The existing approaches are mostly based on atomic or molecular scatterings, which are hindered by the inconvenience of using ultra-high vacuum and low temperature systems. Here we demonstrate a new spin-noise spectroscopic approach by measuring optical polarization rotation noise of the probe light, which operates with simple apparatus and ambient conditions. Our approach features tens of gigahertz bandwidth and one part-per-million resolution, outperforming existing spin-noise techniques. Enabled by the new technique, we observe the collision-induced spin noise of alkali atoms, and precisely determine key collision parameters, such as collision diameter, well depth, and dominant interaction type. Our work provides a new tool to study a broad range of collision phenomena under ambient conditions.

arXiv:2107.04942•Jul 11, 2021•0 citations

Resonant magneto-optical rotation: new twists in an old plot

Dmitry Budker

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

•Dec 1, 1997•0 citations

Tunable optical pulses of given duration by polarization technique

Ishkhan G. Harutyunyan, Toros A. Papazian

The main regularities of induced change of light polarization in the field of powerful ultrashort pulses in the resonant gaseous medium are investigated. Frequency- tunable ultrashort pulses allows to observe the polarization plane rotation at large values of detuning, in the different schemes of single-photon and two-photon interaction. On the other hand, the high intensity of these pulses allows to investigate the nonresonant interaction in the crystalline and solid transparent media. Our experiments carried out permit to propose the polarization technique for forming the given parameters pulses or train of pulses. In the observing medium placed between crossed polarizers, at counter propagation, powerful pump and linearly polarized probe pulses interact, because of which the probe pulse polarization changes. The polarization rotation angle as a time function is determined by the intensity of ultrashort pulse, the parameters of medium and frequencies of interacting waves. At the definite choice of the experimental conditions, requiring a probe wave after a crossed polarizer we can obtain the pulse which duration is determined by the length of medium, where interaction occurs. Using a nonresonant transparent media we have the possibility of forming the pulses of given duration tunable in a wide spectral region.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Oct 9, 1998•0 citations

Rotating Polarizer Technique for Measuring the Coherent Relaxation Rates of Excited Atomic States

E. B. Saloman, Ahmed Baghdadi, Joshua B. Halpern

A new technique for studying the relaxation rates of excited atomic states, using a rotating linear detection polarizer, is described. Theoretical expressions for the resultant signals are obtained and a procedure for adjusting the various experimental parameters is explained. This method separates the various coherent signals and provides a large signal intensity with much more convenience and stability than methods previously used.

Review of Scientific Instruments•Aug 1, 1970•4 citations
The recent technical advances in the creation of rapidly rotating light polarizations are shown to provide new tools to explore elastic and inelastic scattering phenomena. In the case of inelastic scattering, the light fluoresced by atoms or molecules coherently excited by a rapidly rotating linear polarization is expected to exhibit new resonances. Such resonances, due to the transfer of coherence from light to atoms or molecules, are theoretically studied and experimentally observed. They provide simple methods to probe atomic internal constants, such as energy level life-times. The analogy between those resonances and the Hanle effect suggests new experiments in atomic physics. In the case of elastic scattering such as the one encountered during propagation through a dense turbid medium, the rotating linear polarization is shown to be an ideal tool to extract the ballistic photons from the large background of diffused light. This permits to image tiny objects embedded in a dense turbid medium, with an experimental resolution similar to the one obtained in usual homogeneous optical system.
The existence of a novel resonance in the modulation of the fluorescence light emitted by an atom or a molecule when coherently excited by a rapidly rotating linearly polarized light beam is predicted. Such resonances are experimentally observed due to a transfer of coherence from light to atoms or molecules, via either stimulated emission or absorption of light, without having to shift the positions of the levels by an external perturbation. These resonances directly permit the measurement of energy level lifetimes, even in the case where usual magnetic resonance methods would require the use of large magnetic fields.
A review is given of experimental and theoretical achievements in studies of multiphoton spontaneous scattering processes in atomic and molecular media. An analysis is made of integral multiphoton scattering, particularly of scattering in statistically inhomogeneous media with short-range quasiorder. A study of the intensity of the noncoherent multiphoton scattering component provides direct information on the nonlinear polarizability of atoms and molecules whilst the coherent component is associated with various atomic and molecular correlation mechanisms. An analysis of the spectra of elastic and inelastic multiphoton scattering processes yields information on the translational and rotational motion of the molecules. In particular, it is possible to measure the higher-order rotational relaxation times and to verify the adequacy of the various stochastic models of molecular motion. Observations of the spectral lines of three- or more-photon scattering, which obeys new selection rules, yield detail on the fine structure of the molecules and their linear and nonlinear vibrations. Examples are given of the most interesting spectra of three- or more-photon scattering in gases, liquids, and crystals obtained in singleand multichannel systems. The stochastic theory of multiphoton scattering in liquids is discussed, using the spherical tensor concept. The derived general expression reduces to known results for certain cases.
Collision phenomena are ubiquitous and of importance in determining the microscopic structures and intermolecular interactions of atoms and molecules. The existing approaches are mostly based on atomic or molecular scatterings, which are hindered by the inconvenience of using ultra-high vacuum and low temperature systems. Here we demonstrate a new spin-noise spectroscopic approach by measuring optical polarization rotation noise of the probe light, which operates with simple apparatus and ambient conditions. Our approach features tens of gigahertz bandwidth and one part-per-million resolution, outperforming existing spin-noise techniques. Enabled by the new technique, we observe the collision-induced spin noise of alkali atoms, and precisely determine key collision parameters, such as collision diameter, well depth, and dominant interaction type. Our work provides a new tool to study a broad range of collision phenomena under ambient conditions.
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
The main regularities of induced change of light polarization in the field of powerful ultrashort pulses in the resonant gaseous medium are investigated. Frequency- tunable ultrashort pulses allows to observe the polarization plane rotation at large values of detuning, in the different schemes of single-photon and two-photon interaction. On the other hand, the high intensity of these pulses allows to investigate the nonresonant interaction in the crystalline and solid transparent media. Our experiments carried out permit to propose the polarization technique for forming the given parameters pulses or train of pulses. In the observing medium placed between crossed polarizers, at counter propagation, powerful pump and linearly polarized probe pulses interact, because of which the probe pulse polarization changes. The polarization rotation angle as a time function is determined by the intensity of ultrashort pulse, the parameters of medium and frequencies of interacting waves. At the definite choice of the experimental conditions, requiring a probe wave after a crossed polarizer we can obtain the pulse which duration is determined by the length of medium, where interaction occurs. Using a nonresonant transparent media we have the possibility of forming the pulses of given duration tunable in a wide spectral region.