Generation of atomic spin orientation with a linearly polarized beam in room-temperature alkali-metal vapor

Abstract

Traditionally, atomic spin orientation is achieved by the transfer of angular momentum from polarised light to an atomic system. We demonstrate the mechanism of orientation generation in room-temperature caesium vapours that combines three elements: optical pumping, non-linear spin dynamics and spin-exchange collisions. Through the variation of the spin-exchange relaxation rate, the transition between an aligned and an oriented atomic sample is presented. The observation is performed by monitoring the atomic radio-frequency spectra. The measurement configuration discussed, paves the way to simple and robust radio-frequency atomic magnetometers that are based on a single low power laser diode that approach the performance of multi-laser pump-probe systems.