Straightforward retrieval of dispersion in a dense atomic vapor helped by buffer gas-assisted radiation channeling

Abstract

Strong enhancement of group refractive index in a dense buffered atomic vapor is recorded using a technique of reflection from a low-finesse Fabry–Perot cavity filled with dense atomic vapor allowing the retrieval of a dispersion curve for the hyperfine structure of Rb D2 line buffered by a high-density Cs vapor. Oscillations of the recorded signal resulting from interference of beams reflected from the front and rear windows of the cell appearing with the laser frequency scanning across the resonance allow easy reconstruction of the dispersion curve. Contribution from concomitant interconnected processes, in particular, the determinative role of radiation channeling in enhancement of the resonator Q-factor, is analyzed.