Nonlinear Magneto-Optical Rotation in Rubidium Vapor Excited with Blue Light

TL;DR

This study investigates nonlinear magneto-optical rotation in rubidium vapor excited with blue light at 421 nm, combining experiments and modeling to understand the effects of complex decay pathways on NMOR.

Contribution

It demonstrates that despite multiple decay channels, NMOR can be effectively modeled with a simplified single relaxation rate.

Findings

NMOR observed with blue excitation at 421 nm

Experimental results align with a simplified theoretical model

Complex decay pathways do not hinder effective modeling

Abstract

We present experimental and numerical studies of nonlinear magneto-optical rotation (NMOR) in rubidium vapor excited with resonant light tuned to the $5^2\!S_{1/2}\rightarrow 6^2\!P_{1/2}$ absorption line (421~nm). Contrary to the experiments performed to date on the strong $D_1$ or $D_2$ lines, in this case, the spontaneous decay of the excited state $6^2\!P_{1/2}$ may occur via multiple intermediate states, affecting the dynamics, magnitude and other characteristics of NMOR. Comparing the experimental results with the results of modelling based on Auzinsh et al., Phys. Rev. A 80, 1 (2009), we demonstrate that despite the complexity of the structure, NMOR can be adequately described with a model, where only a single excited-state relaxation rate is used.