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Chinese Optics Letters

Ultra-narrow parametric magnetic resonances in a miniature vapor cell

Xueting Zhang Xueting Zhang, Guoqing Yang Guoqing Yang, Kang Dai Kang Dai, Ying Chen Ying Chen

Published Jan 1, 2017• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Multi-photon parametric magnetic resonance in a miniature vapor cell is demonstrated. Much more multi-photon magnetic resonance can be observed when the radio frequency field becomes stronger. The linewidth of the n photons magnetic resonance equals that of the first-order resonance divided by n, which means that the uncertainty of the magnetic sublevel is reduced by the factor n. The signal-to-noise ratio can be improved when the low-frequency multi-photon resonance takes place, which finds a possible application in precision magnetic field measurement.

DOI
10.3788/col201715.070201

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We observe very narrow (\ensuremath{\sim}200 Hz) magnetic resonance lines in alkali vapors with atomic densities much greater than usual and with cell dimensions much smaller than usual. The Zeeman resonance frequency is shifted downward by a large factor, but the spin-exchange broadening vanishes in the high-density limit. This new regime affords important new possibilities for investigating basic interactions in dense alkali vapors, and it also opens the way to miniaturized optically pumped devices.
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Micro-fabricated vapor cells have applications in a number of emerging quantum technology-based devices including miniaturized atomic magnetometers, atomic clocks, and frequency references for laser systems. Increasing the cell optical path length (OPL) and smallest cell dimension are normally desirable to increase the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and minimize the de-polarization rate due to collisions between atomic or molecular species and the cell walls. This paper presents a fully wafer-level scalable fabrication process to manufacture vapor cells with dimensions approaching those of glass-blown cells. The fabrication process is described, and spectroscopic measurements (optical absorption and magnetic resonance) are reported. A magnetic resonance linewidth of 350 Hz is demonstrated, and this is the smallest linewidth reported to date for a micro-fabricated vapor cell.
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