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

Journal de physique

Observation of optical pumping effects in collinear atomic beam - laser beam(s) interaction

N. Bendali, H. T. Duong, J.M. Saint Jalm, J.L. Vialie

Published Jan 1, 1983• 7 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The detection of optical resonances by observation of the fluorescence light emitted from a fast atomic beam of Na interacting with a collinear laser beam is limited in sensitivity by optical pumping processes. In the experiment reported here, we take advantage of the optical pumping by using a second collinear laser beam, achieving then a gain in fluorescence signal. The effects of the lasers power and polarization on line shapes have been studied in the single laser excitation case as well as in the two laser beams one.

DOI
10.1051/jphys:019830044090101900

Related papers

Detection of optical resonances by observation of fluorescence light emitted from a fast atomic beam when optical pumping occurs

H. T. Duong, Jean Vialle

The sensitivity of the method of detection of optical resonances by observation of the fluorescence light emitted from a fast beam excited by a laser in collinear geometry is often limited by the optical pumping. In our method, we propose to take advantage of the optical pumping process to detect optical resonances by using a second laser beam in almost collinear geometry which acts as a detector of optical pumping.

Journal de Physique Lettres•Jan 1, 1980•1 citation

Examination of subnatural spectroscopy using optical pumping

James C. Camparo, R. P. Frueholz, Charles M. Klimcak

Recent experiments have shown that optical pumping can produce line shapes with subnatural structure, and that this structure could prove to be useful for extracting oscillator strengths. A key question, however, regarding the optical-pumping technique's potential usefulness is how well it allows the determination of resonance line center. In the present paper we address this question theoretically by considering laser optical pumping and probing of an atomic beam. From the analysis (i) we find that depending on laser polarization the optical-pumping subnatural feature is either a dip or a signal enhancement, (ii) we derive the rigorously correct formula relating the dip width to the transition oscillator strength for an alkali-like atom exhibiting a homogeneous line shape, and (iii) we show that, compared to shot-noise-limited laser-induced fluorescence, the optical-pumping technique of signal enhancement is capable of a 15% improvement in the ability to find resonance line center.

Physical Review A•Sep 1, 1987•1 citation

Laser-induced fluorescence line narrowing in atomic vapors

Th. Meier, Hans A. Schuessler

The use of highly monochromatic light permits the selective excitation of atoms in vapors if excitation and detection of the fluorescence is carried out collinearly. The atoms capable of absorbing light then form an atomic beam of well-defined velocity along the direction of the laser beam, but no velocity selection occurs perpendicular to it. The potential of the technique for Doppler-free atomic spectroscopy and for the study of excited atom collisions is demonstrated by using the Na D1 line as an example.

NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N•Sep 1, 1983•0 citations

Laser-induced fluorescence line narrowing in atomic vapors

Th. Meier, Hans A. Schuessler

The use of highly monochromatic light permits the selective excitation of atoms in vapors if excitation and detection of the fluorescence is carried out collinearly. The atoms capable of absorbing light then form an atomic beam of well-defined velocity along the direction of the laser beam, but no velocity selection occurs perpendicular to it. The potential of the technique for Doppler-free atomic spectroscopy and for the study of excited atom collisions is demonstrated by using the Na D1 line as an example.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Apr 1, 1984•1 citation

State purification of a fast neon metastable beam by collinear optical pumping

T. Dean Gaily, M. J. Coggiola, James R. Peterson +1 more

An apparatus has been constructed to produce well-characterized fast beams of rare gas metastable atoms for subsequent scattering experiments. Optical pumping by a collinear laser beam can be used to selectively remove either of the two metastable components from the beam. Laser-induced-fluorescence (LIF) techniques can be used to determine the original beam composition and to monitor composition changes resulting from optical absorption. These techniques have been successfully applied to a metastable neon beam produced by near-resonant charge transfer of Ne+ in Na. A simple model has been developed which accurately reproduces the observed LIF lineshape generated by tuning the laser throught the optical transition frequency.

Review of Scientific Instruments•Sep 1, 1980•17 citations

Elimination of line-shape distortion in laser absorption spectroscopy in atomic beams

Bruce W. Peuse, Mara Goff Prentiss, Shaoul Ezekiel

Line shapes observed when direct laser absorption is used in an atomic beam of sodium show asymmetries not present in fluorescence detection. Such line-shape distortion, which can be explained by resonant light diffraction by the atoms in the atomic beam, may be eliminated by imaging the fields in the interaction region at the surface of a detector located outside the beam apparatus.

Optics Letters•Mar 1, 1983•3 citations
The detection of optical resonances by observation of the fluorescence light emitted from a fast atomic beam of Na interacting with a collinear laser beam is limited in sensitivity by optical pumping processes. In the experiment reported here, we take advantage of the optical pumping by using a second collinear laser beam, achieving then a gain in fluorescence signal. The effects of the lasers power and polarization on line shapes have been studied in the single laser excitation case as well as in the two laser beams one.
Recent experiments have shown that optical pumping can produce line shapes with subnatural structure, and that this structure could prove to be useful for extracting oscillator strengths. A key question, however, regarding the optical-pumping technique's potential usefulness is how well it allows the determination of resonance line center. In the present paper we address this question theoretically by considering laser optical pumping and probing of an atomic beam. From the analysis (i) we find that depending on laser polarization the optical-pumping subnatural feature is either a dip or a signal enhancement, (ii) we derive the rigorously correct formula relating the dip width to the transition oscillator strength for an alkali-like atom exhibiting a homogeneous line shape, and (iii) we show that, compared to shot-noise-limited laser-induced fluorescence, the optical-pumping technique of signal enhancement is capable of a 15% improvement in the ability to find resonance line center.
The use of highly monochromatic light permits the selective excitation of atoms in vapors if excitation and detection of the fluorescence is carried out collinearly. The atoms capable of absorbing light then form an atomic beam of well-defined velocity along the direction of the laser beam, but no velocity selection occurs perpendicular to it. The potential of the technique for Doppler-free atomic spectroscopy and for the study of excited atom collisions is demonstrated by using the Na D1 line as an example.
The use of highly monochromatic light permits the selective excitation of atoms in vapors if excitation and detection of the fluorescence is carried out collinearly. The atoms capable of absorbing light then form an atomic beam of well-defined velocity along the direction of the laser beam, but no velocity selection occurs perpendicular to it. The potential of the technique for Doppler-free atomic spectroscopy and for the study of excited atom collisions is demonstrated by using the Na D1 line as an example.
An apparatus has been constructed to produce well-characterized fast beams of rare gas metastable atoms for subsequent scattering experiments. Optical pumping by a collinear laser beam can be used to selectively remove either of the two metastable components from the beam. Laser-induced-fluorescence (LIF) techniques can be used to determine the original beam composition and to monitor composition changes resulting from optical absorption. These techniques have been successfully applied to a metastable neon beam produced by near-resonant charge transfer of Ne+ in Na. A simple model has been developed which accurately reproduces the observed LIF lineshape generated by tuning the laser throught the optical transition frequency.