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

Microwave transitions and nonlinear magneto-optical rotation in anti-relaxation-coated cells

Dmitry Budker, Leo W. Hollberg, Derek F. Jackson Kimball, John E. Kitching, Szymon Pustelny, Valeriy V. Yashchuk

Published Aug 12, 2004• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Using laser optical pumping, widths and frequency shifts are determined for microwave transitions between ground-state hyperfine components of {sup 85}Rb and {sup 87}Rb atoms contained in vapor cells with alkane anti-relaxation coatings. The results are compared with data on Zeeman relaxation obtained in nonlinear magneto-optical rotation (NMOR) experiments, a comparison important for quantitative understanding of spin-relaxation mechanisms in coated cells. By comparing cells manufactured over a forty-year period we demonstrate the long-term stability of coated cells, an important property for atomic clocks and magnetometers.

Related papers

Microwave transitions and nonlinear magneto-optical rotation in anti-relaxation-coated cells

Dmitry Budker, Leo W. Hollberg, Derek F. Jackson Kimball +3 more

Using laser optical pumping, widths and frequency shifts are determined for microwave transitions between ground-state hyperfine components of $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ and $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms contained in vapor cells with alkane antirelaxation coatings. The results are compared with data on Zeeman relaxation obtained in nonlinear magneto-optical rotation experiments, a comparison important for quantitative understanding of spin-relaxation mechanisms in coated cells. By comparing cells manufactured over a $40\text{\penalty1000-\hskip0pt}\text{year}$ period we demonstrate the long-term stability of coated cells, an important property for atomic clocks and magnetometers.

arXiv:physics/0408009•Physical Review A•Jan 27, 2005•129 citations

Nonlinear magneto-optical rotation and Zeeman and hyperfine relaxation of potassium atoms in a paraffin-coated cell

Jennie Guzman, Adam M. Wojciechowski, J. E. Stalnaker +3 more

Nonlinear magneto-optical Faraday rotation (NMOR) on the potassium D1 and D2 lines was used to study Zeeman relaxation rates in an antirelaxation paraffin-coated $3\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{cm}$-diameter potassium vapor cell. Intrinsic Zeeman relaxation rates of ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{NMOR}∕2\ensuremath{\pi}=2.0(6)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$ were observed. The relatively small hyperfine intervals in potassium lead to significant differences in NMOR in potassium compared to rubidium and cesium. Using laser optical pumping, widths and frequency shifts were also determined for transitions between ground-state hyperfine sublevels of $^{39}\mathrm{K}$ atoms contained in the same paraffin-coated cell. The intrinsic hyperfine relaxation rate of ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathit{expt}}^{\mathit{hf}}∕2\ensuremath{\pi}=10.6(7)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$ and a shift of $\ensuremath{-}9.1(2)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$ were observed. These results show that adiabatic relaxation gives only a small contribution to the overall hyperfine relaxation in the case of potassium, and the relaxation is dominated by other mechanisms similar to those observed in previous studies with rubidium.

arXiv:physics/0607061•Physical Review A•Nov 21, 2006•34 citations

Hyperfine frequency shift and Zeeman relaxation in alkali-metal-vapor cells with antirelaxation alkene coating

Eric Corsini, Todor S. Karaulanov, M. V. Balabas +1 more

An alkene-based antirelaxation coating for alkali-metal vapor cells exhibiting Zeeman relaxation times up to 77 s was recently identified by Balabas et al. The long relaxation times, two orders of magnitude longer than in paraffin- (alkane-) coated cells, motivate revisiting the question of what the mechanism is underlying wall-collision-induced relaxation and renew interest in applications of alkali-metal vapor cells to secondary frequency standards. We measure the width and frequency shift of the ground-state hyperfine $m{}_{F}=0\ensuremath{\rightarrow}m{}_{F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0$ transition (clock resonance) in vapor cells with ${}^{85}$Rb and ${}^{87}$Rb atoms, with an alkene antirelaxation coating. We find that the frequency shift is slightly larger than for paraffin-coated cells and that the Zeeman linewidth scales linearly with the hyperfine frequency shift.

Physical Review A•Feb 14, 2013•41 citations

Nonlinear magneto-optical rotation in the presence of a radio-frequency field

T. Zigdon, A. D. Wilson‐Gordon, Srikanth Guttikonda +4 more

Rb atoms in an antirelaxation-coated vapor cell in the presence of a radio-frequency (rf) field. The experimental NMOR signals as a function of rf field frequency for various rf field powers are compared to a theoretical model based on the density-matrix formalism. The comparison between experiment and theory enables understanding of the ground-state atomic spin polarization dynamics, illustrated using plots of the probability distribution of the atomic angular momentum.

arXiv:1008.3000•Optics Express•Nov 22, 2010•49 citations

Nonlinear magneto-optical effect in paraffin coated Rb vapor cell

Hyun Joon Lee, Ye-Jin Yu, In‐Ho Bae +1 more

Application of an atomic magnetometer based on nonlinear magneto-optical rotation(NMOR) was studied. We have observed the NMOR signals in87Rb D1line using the the Rb vapor cell coated with paraffin. The paraffin coated vapor cell lead to double structured features in the NMOR signal which have different slope value of 0.193 mrad/mG and 2.23 mrad/mG with laser power 400 muW, respectively.

•Aug 1, 2009•0 citations

Transient response of nonlinear magneto-optic rotation in a paraffin-coated Rb vapor cell

M. Ummal Momeen, G. K. Rangarajan, Vasant Natarajan A

We study resonant nonlinear magneto-optic rotation (NMOR) in a paraffin-coated Rb vapor cell as the magnetic field is swept. At low sweep rates, the nonlinear rotation appears as a narrow resonance signal with a linewidth of about ``$300$ $\ensuremath{\mu}$G'' ($2\ensuremath{\pi}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}420$ Hz). At high sweep rates, the signal shows transient response with an oscillatory decay. The decay time constant is of order $100$ ms. The behavior is different for transitions starting from the lower or the upper hyperfine level of the ground state because of optical pumping effects.

Physical Review A•Jan 25, 2010•10 citations
Using laser optical pumping, widths and frequency shifts are determined for microwave transitions between ground-state hyperfine components of {sup 85}Rb and {sup 87}Rb atoms contained in vapor cells with alkane anti-relaxation coatings. The results are compared with data on Zeeman relaxation obtained in nonlinear magneto-optical rotation (NMOR) experiments, a comparison important for quantitative understanding of spin-relaxation mechanisms in coated cells. By comparing cells manufactured over a forty-year period we demonstrate the long-term stability of coated cells, an important property for atomic clocks and magnetometers.
Using laser optical pumping, widths and frequency shifts are determined for microwave transitions between ground-state hyperfine components of 85Rb^{85}\mathrm{Rb}85Rb and 87Rb^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb atoms contained in vapor cells with alkane antirelaxation coatings. The results are compared with data on Zeeman relaxation obtained in nonlinear magneto-optical rotation experiments, a comparison important for quantitative understanding of spin-relaxation mechanisms in coated cells. By comparing cells manufactured over a $40\text{\penalty1000-\hskip0pt}\text{year}$ period we demonstrate the long-term stability of coated cells, an important property for atomic clocks and magnetometers.
Nonlinear magneto-optical Faraday rotation (NMOR) on the potassium D1 and D2 lines was used to study Zeeman relaxation rates in an antirelaxation paraffin-coated $3\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{cm}$-diameter potassium vapor cell. Intrinsic Zeeman relaxation rates of ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{NMOR}∕2\ensuremath{\pi}=2.0(6)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$ were observed. The relatively small hyperfine intervals in potassium lead to significant differences in NMOR in potassium compared to rubidium and cesium. Using laser optical pumping, widths and frequency shifts were also determined for transitions between ground-state hyperfine sublevels of 39K^{39}\mathrm{K}39K atoms contained in the same paraffin-coated cell. The intrinsic hyperfine relaxation rate of ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathit{expt}}^{\mathit{hf}}∕2\ensuremath{\pi}=10.6(7)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$ and a shift of $\ensuremath{-}9.1(2)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$ were observed. These results show that adiabatic relaxation gives only a small contribution to the overall hyperfine relaxation in the case of potassium, and the relaxation is dominated by other mechanisms similar to those observed in previous studies with rubidium.
An alkene-based antirelaxation coating for alkali-metal vapor cells exhibiting Zeeman relaxation times up to 77 s was recently identified by Balabas et al. The long relaxation times, two orders of magnitude longer than in paraffin- (alkane-) coated cells, motivate revisiting the question of what the mechanism is underlying wall-collision-induced relaxation and renew interest in applications of alkali-metal vapor cells to secondary frequency standards. We measure the width and frequency shift of the ground-state hyperfine $m{}_{F}=0\ensuremath{\rightarrow}m{}_{F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0$ transition (clock resonance) in vapor cells with 85{}^{85}85Rb and 87{}^{87}87Rb atoms, with an alkene antirelaxation coating. We find that the frequency shift is slightly larger than for paraffin-coated cells and that the Zeeman linewidth scales linearly with the hyperfine frequency shift.
We study resonant nonlinear magneto-optic rotation (NMOR) in a paraffin-coated Rb vapor cell as the magnetic field is swept. At low sweep rates, the nonlinear rotation appears as a narrow resonance signal with a linewidth of about ``300300300 $\ensuremath{\mu}$G'' ($2\ensuremath{\pi}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}420$ Hz). At high sweep rates, the signal shows transient response with an oscillatory decay. The decay time constant is of order 100100100 ms. The behavior is different for transitions starting from the lower or the upper hyperfine level of the ground state because of optical pumping effects.