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

arXiv:physics/0103045 · Physical Review A

Large Faraday rotation of resonant light in a cold atomic cloud

G. Labeyrie, Christian Miniatura, Robin Kaiser

Published Aug 1, 2001• 82 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We experimentally studied the Faraday rotation of resonant light in an optically thick cloud of laser-cooled rubidium atoms. Measurements yield a large Verdet constant in the range of ${10}^{5}$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}/T mm and a maximal polarization rotation of 150\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. A complete analysis of the polarization state of the transmitted light was necessary to account for the role of the probe laser's spectrum.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.64.033402

Related papers

Nonlinear Faraday rotation and detection of superposition states in cold atoms

Adam M. Wojciechowski, Eric Corsini, Jerzy Zachorowski +1 more

We report on the observation of nonlinear Faraday rotation with cold atoms at a temperature of $~100$ $\ensuremath{\mu}$K. The observed nonlinear rotation of the light polarization plane is up to $0.1$ rad over the $1$-mm-size atomic cloud in approximately $10$-mG magnetic field. The nonlinearity of rotation results from long-lived coherence of ground-state Zeeman sublevels created by a near-resonant light. The method allows for creation, detection, and control of atomic superposition states. It also allows applications for precision magnetometry with high spatial and temporal resolution.

arXiv:1001.1629•Physical Review A•May 24, 2010•29 citations

Observation of Faraday Rotation in Cold Atoms in an Integrating Sphere

Ben-Chang Zheng, Hua-Dong Cheng, Yan-Ling Meng +3 more

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.

Chinese Physics Letters•Jul 1, 2014•1 citation

All-Optical Control of Birefringence in a Cold Atomic Ensemble

Apoorva Apoorva, Naudson Lucas Lopes Matias, Bérengère Pinoche +3 more

We demonstrate all-optical control of birefringence in a cold atomic cloud of ytterbium. By optically dressing the excited $^{3}\mathrm{P}_1$ state via an off-resonant coupling to the $^{3}\mathrm{D}_1$ level, we induce polarization-dependent light shifts of the Zeeman sublevels, resulting in a tunable polarization-dependent refractive index. For a circularly polarized dressing beam, we observe a rotation of the probe linear polarization, characteristic of the Faraday effect, in the absence of any magnetic field. In addition, for a linearly polarized dressing beam, the probe acquires ellipticity without rotation, corresponding to linear birefringence. More generally, the polarization of the dressing beam controls the axis of rotation of the probe polarization on the Poincaré sphere. Our results establish cold atoms as a versatile platform for engineering and controlling light-induced birefringence and open new perspectives for the fast and reconfigurable control of optical response of resonant media.

arXiv:2606.30216•Jun 29, 2026•0 citations

Nonlinear magneto-optic polarization rotation with intense laser fields

Paul S. Hsu, Anil K. Patnaik, George R. Welch

We have studied the nonlinear Faraday effect of intense linear polarized light in an optically thick atomic rubidium vapor. We have shown that the polarization rotatation rate (rotation angle per unit magnetic field, in the limit of low field) reaches a saturation value as the intensity and density are increased.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jun 7, 2007•0 citations

Optically induced Faraday effect in a Λ configuration of spin-polarized cold cesium atoms

Jai Min Choi, Jang Myun Kim, Q-Han Park +1 more

Polarization rotation of weak probe light induced by circularly polarized strong coupling light in a $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ configuration is studied. We use spin-polarized cold cesium atoms trapped in a magneto-optical trap to remove complications from Zeeman distribution, Doppler broadening, and collisional decoherence. By using a very low probe intensity and short illumination period we work in a strictly linear regime. The probe and the coupling fields are optically phase locked to eliminate phase fluctuation and consequent atomic decoherence. Using this idealized situation we clarify the roles of optically induced Faraday rotation, circular dichroism, and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in determining the final state of the probe light. In particular, we identify an experimental situation where the roles of atomic coherence and EIT are important.

Physical Review A•Jan 26, 2007•11 citations

Resonant Faraday rotation as a probe of atomic dispersion

D. A. Van Baak

The Faraday effect (the rotation of the plane of polarization of light as it propagates through a sample parallel to a static magnetic field) is readily detected in room-temperature rubidium vapor by a diode-laser experiment near the D2 resonance line at 780 nm, and the theoretical treatment of this effect provides an unusually clear insight into the relation between absorption and dispersion in the interaction of light with matter.

American Journal of Physics•Jun 1, 1996•47 citations
We experimentally studied the Faraday rotation of resonant light in an optically thick cloud of laser-cooled rubidium atoms. Measurements yield a large Verdet constant in the range of 105{10}^{5}105\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}/T mm and a maximal polarization rotation of 150\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. A complete analysis of the polarization state of the transmitted light was necessary to account for the role of the probe laser's spectrum.
We report on the observation of nonlinear Faraday rotation with cold atoms at a temperature of  100~100 100 $\ensuremath{\mu}$K. The observed nonlinear rotation of the light polarization plane is up to 0.10.10.1 rad over the 111-mm-size atomic cloud in approximately 101010-mG magnetic field. The nonlinearity of rotation results from long-lived coherence of ground-state Zeeman sublevels created by a near-resonant light. The method allows for creation, detection, and control of atomic superposition states. It also allows applications for precision magnetometry with high spatial and temporal resolution.
We demonstrate all-optical control of birefringence in a cold atomic cloud of ytterbium. By optically dressing the excited 3P1^{3}\mathrm{P}_13P1​ state via an off-resonant coupling to the 3D1^{3}\mathrm{D}_13D1​ level, we induce polarization-dependent light shifts of the Zeeman sublevels, resulting in a tunable polarization-dependent refractive index. For a circularly polarized dressing beam, we observe a rotation of the probe linear polarization, characteristic of the Faraday effect, in the absence of any magnetic field. In addition, for a linearly polarized dressing beam, the probe acquires ellipticity without rotation, corresponding to linear birefringence. More generally, the polarization of the dressing beam controls the axis of rotation of the probe polarization on the Poincaré sphere. Our results establish cold atoms as a versatile platform for engineering and controlling light-induced birefringence and open new perspectives for the fast and reconfigurable control of optical response of resonant media.
Polarization rotation of weak probe light induced by circularly polarized strong coupling light in a $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ configuration is studied. We use spin-polarized cold cesium atoms trapped in a magneto-optical trap to remove complications from Zeeman distribution, Doppler broadening, and collisional decoherence. By using a very low probe intensity and short illumination period we work in a strictly linear regime. The probe and the coupling fields are optically phase locked to eliminate phase fluctuation and consequent atomic decoherence. Using this idealized situation we clarify the roles of optically induced Faraday rotation, circular dichroism, and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in determining the final state of the probe light. In particular, we identify an experimental situation where the roles of atomic coherence and EIT are important.