Engineering atomic polarization with microwave-assisted optical pumping

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new technique for creating atomic polarization in alkali vapors by combining optical pumping with microwave transitions, enabling control over atomic orientation and potential applications in microwave-to-optical transduction.

Contribution

The study presents a novel method that integrates optical pumping and microwave transitions to manipulate atomic polarization in a continuous regime.

Findings

Atomic polarization can be oriented at arbitrary angles relative to the laser beam.

Microwave parameters influence the atomic polarization, enabling control.

Potential applications include microwave-to-optical transduction and nonlinear magneto-optical rotation.

Abstract

Polarized atomic ensembles play a crucial role in precision measurements. We demonstrate a novel method of creating atomic polarization in an alkali vapor in a continuous-wave regime. The method relies on a combination of optical pumping by a laser beam and microwave transitions due to a cavity-enhanced magnetic field. With this approach, atomic internal angular momentum can be oriented along a static magnetic field at an arbitrary angle with respect to the laser beam. Furthermore, the atomic polarization depends on the microwave parameters, which can be used for microwave-to-optical transduction and microwave-controlled nonlinear magneto-optical rotation.