Atomic resonance behavior in laser-induced Rb atom desorption—the effect of ambient gas atoms and molecules

Abstract

Abstract We report an observation that in a typical optical pumping cell containing Rb metal and 150 Torr N 2 gas, a cw laser beam of a few tens of mW and beam size 5.5 mm 2 can desorb Rb films on cell surfaces when the laser is tuned to the Rb D 1 line. The frequency dependence of the Rb desorption rate displays atomic resonance behavior. The desorption is suggested to be mediated by the ambient gas atoms (Rb) and molecules (N 2 ). The phenomenon was used to provide evidence for the existence of thin Rb films on seemingly clear cell surfaces.