Application of Magnetically Induced Transitions of 87Rb Atoms in Coherent Optical Processes

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrated that magnetically induced (MI) Fg = 1 → Fe = 3 transitions of the D2-line of 87Rb are promising for the generation of optical resonances in strong magnetic fields of up to 3 kG. A cell of micron-scale thickness filled with Rb vapors was used. A simple and convenient method of determining magnetic induction that exhibits micron-scale spatial resolution is described. In the process, it becomes unnecessary using a reference spectrum. The probability of an MI transition in the interval of magnetic fields from 0.3 to 2 kG can exceed the probability of an ordinary atomic transition, which makes using it as a coupling or probe transition in Λ- or V-systems advantageous for formation of dark resonances in processes of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Dark resonances shifted in strong magnetic fields by as much as 10 GHz may find a number of practical applications. Note that dark resonances are nearly absent in Λ-systems based on ordinary atomic transitions in magnetic fields exceeding 1 kG.