arXiv:physics/0511003 · Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Magnetometry with millimeter-scale antirelaxation-coated alkali-metal vapor cells

M. V. Balabas, Dmitry Budker, John E. Kitching, Peter D. D. Schwindt, J. E. Stalnaker

Published Jun 1, 2006• 94 citations

Abstract

Dynamic nonlinear magneto-optical-rotation signals with frequency- and amplitude-modulated laser light have been observed and investigated with a spherical glass cell of 3 mm diameter containing Cs metal with inner walls coated with paraffin. Intrinsic Zeeman relaxation rates of γ/(2π)≈20 Hz and lower have been observed. Favorable prospects of using millimeter-scale coated cells in portable magnetometers and secondary frequency references are discussed.

DOI: 10.1364/josab.23.001001

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arXiv:physics/0511003 · Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Magnetometry with millimeter-scale antirelaxation-coated alkali-metal vapor cells

M. V. Balabas, Dmitry Budker, John E. Kitching, Peter D. D. Schwindt, J. E. Stalnaker

Published Jun 1, 2006• 94 citations

arXiv HTML PDF

Abstract

DOI: 10.1364/josab.23.001001

Related papers

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.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.

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^{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.

{}^{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.

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.