Chinese Physics Letters
Observation of Faraday Rotation in Cold Atoms in an Integrating Sphere
Ben-Chang Zheng, Hua-Dong Cheng, Yan-Ling Meng, Ling Xiao, Jinyin Wan, Liang Liu
Abstract
The Faraday rotation of weak linearly polarized probe light is observed as it passes through a sample of cold 87 Rb atoms prepared by diffused light in an integrating sphere. The rotation angle of the probe light-polarization as functions of laser intensity, detuning and biased magnetic field is measured. A Ramsey fringe with a linewidth of 35 Hz and contrast up to 92% is demonstrated. This method has potential applications in improving the performance of atomic clocks with cold atoms.