Selective reflection from an atomic vapour in double-resonance and level-crossing experiments
George William Series
The intensity of polarized light reflected from an absorbing vapour has been calculated for optical radio-frequency double resonance and level-crossing. The reflection coefficient was obtained from the refractive index of the vapour, using the equations of classical electromagnetism. The result obtained by integration over a range of frequencies corresponding to broad-band illumination shows that all the familiar magnetic resonance effects are to be expected in the reflected light, except that the resonance curves should be Doppler- and pressure-broadened. A study of the zero-field level-crossing curve, as a function of vapour pressure, should enable one to follow the gradual transition from diffuse to coherent scattering, and to test whether the simple theory of selective reflection is adequate.
Proceedings of the Physical Society•Jun 1, 1967•12 citations