Coherent Population Trapping resonances on lower atomic levels of Doppler broadened optical lines

TL;DR

This paper reports the detection and analysis of narrow, high-contrast coherent population trapping resonances in cesium atoms, which could improve atomic clocks, magnetometers, and high-resolution spectroscopy.

Contribution

It demonstrates a novel method for observing CPT resonances with higher contrast and narrower width in Doppler-broadened atomic systems.

Findings

CPT resonances can have higher contrast and narrower width than traditional methods.

The method is applicable to nonclosed three-level Lambda systems.

Potential applications include atomic standards and sensitive magnetometers.

Abstract

We have detected and analysed narrow high-contrast coherent population trapping (CPT) resonances, which are induced in absorption of the weak probe light beam by the counterpropagating two-frequency pumping radiation. Our experimental investigations have been carried out on example of nonclosed three level Lambda systems formed by spectral components of the Doppler broadened D2 line of cesium atoms. We have established that CPT resonances in transmission of the probe beam (in the cesium vapor), at definite conditions, may have not only more contrast but also much lesser width in comparison with well- known CPT resonances in transmission of the corresponding two-frequency pumping radiation. Thus CPT resonances, detected by the elaborated method, may be used in atomic frequency standards and sensitive magnetometers (based on the CPT phenomenon) and also in ultahigh resolution spectroscopy of atoms and molecules.