Demonstration of Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter with reflection configuration

Abstract

A narrow linewidth Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter (FADOF) with reflection configuration is achieved for the first time based on the cesium (Cs) ground state 6S1/2 to the excited state 6P3/2 transition at 852 nm. Compared with the conventional FADOF with transmission configuration, reflection-type FADOF can greatly improve the transmittance of optical filter under the same experimental parameters, because it allows signal light to go and return through the atomic vapor cell. In our experiment, peak transmittance at Cs 6S1/2 F = 4–6P3/2 transition is 81% for the reflection-type FADOF, and while 54% for the transmission-type FADOF when the temperature of Cs vapor cell and the axial magnetic field are 60 °C and 19 G. The idea of this reflection-type FADOF design has the potential to be applied to the FADOF operating between two excited states to obtain higher transmittance.