Magnetic field-induced mixing of hyperfine states of Cs 6 2^P_{3/2} level observed with a sub-micron vapor cell

TL;DR

This study investigates how an external magnetic field causes mixing of hyperfine states in cesium atoms within a sub-micron vapor cell, revealing spectral changes useful for high-resolution magnetometry.

Contribution

It demonstrates magnetic field-induced hyperfine state mixing in cesium vapor with sub-micron spatial resolution, supported by experimental spectra and simulations.

Findings

Hyperfine transitions are significantly altered by magnetic fields up to 50 Gauss.

Spectral changes are well explained by state mixing due to comparable hyperfine and Larmor frequencies.

Potential for high spatial resolution magnetic field sensing is discussed.

Abstract

The fluorescence spectra of a sub-micron atomic cesium vapor layer observable under resonant excitation on D2 line have been studied in the presence of an external magnetic field. Substantial changes in amplitudes and frequency positions of the individual (resolved) hyperfine transitions have been recorded in moderate magnetic fields (up to ~ 50 Gauss). These features are caused by mixing of the hyperfine states of the upper level resulting from comparable values of the hyperfine splitting of the 62^P_{3/2} manifold and Larmor frequencies of the magnetic sublevels. The results of simulation show a good agreement with the experimental spectra. Possible application of the results for high spatial resolution magnetometry is discussed.