Abstract
We investigate polarization spectroscopy of an excited state transition in room-temperature rubidium vapor. By applying a circularly polarized coupling beam, resonant with the 52S1/2 → 52P3/2 transition, we induce anisotropy in the atomic medium that is then probed by scanning a probe beam across the 52P3/2 → 62S1/2 transition. By performing polarimetry on the probe beam, a dispersive spectral feature is observed. We characterize the excited-state polarization spectrum as a function of coupling intensity for both isotopes and find that at high intensities, Autler-Townes splitting results in a sub-feature, which theoretical modelling shows is enhanced by Doppler averaging. This spectroscopic technique produces a narrow dispersive signal which is ideal for laser frequency stabilization to excited-state transitions.
Highlights
Spectroscopy of excited state transitions within atomic systems is of increasing relevance across many research fields
Detailed studies have been performed of excited-state spectroscopy in caesium vapor including linewidth narrowing [17], effects due to wavelength mismatch [18] and doubleresonance optical pumping polarization spectroscopy [19]
We perform a detailed study of polarization spectroscopy for an excited-state transition in both 85Rb and 87Rb and we find similar results to previous studies in Cs vapour by Carr et al [22]
Summary
Spectroscopy of excited state transitions within atomic systems is of increasing relevance across many research fields. Other applications of excited state spectroscopy include optical filtering [13,14], laser frequency up-conversion [15] and studies of the transfer of orbital angular momentum [16]. We perform a detailed study of polarization spectroscopy for an excited-state transition in both 85Rb and 87Rb and we find similar results to previous studies in Cs vapour by Carr et al [22]. This technique can provide a signal with zero-crossing lineshape that is ideal for laser frequency stabilization. We generate a signal that has either positive or negative slope depending on the Rabi frequency of the coupling laser
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