Hanle effect detection of the [formula omitted] single-photon transition of cesium, without electric field

Abstract

Although the oscillator strength of the 6S 1 2 −7S 1 2 transition is only 4.0×10 -15, by the Hanle effect in a zero electric field this transition gives rise to a very specific signal well above noise and background. From the hfs profile, we can test the magnetic dipole nature of the transition and obtain direct evidence for its perturbation by hyperfine mixing between the two S states. Our new values of M hf 1/ M 1 and M 1 and M 1/β agree with previous results, and the accuracy of M hf 1/ M 1 is improved.