Saturated-absorption spectroscopy: Eliminating crossover resonances using co-propagating beams

Abstract

We demonstrate a new technique for saturated-absorption spectroscopy using co-propagating beams that does not have the problem of crossover resonances. The pump beam is locked to a transition and its absorption signal is monitored while the probe beam is scanned. As the probe comes into resonance with another transition, the pump absorption is reduced and the signal shows a Doppler-free dip. We use this technique to measure hyperfine intervals in the $D_2$ line of ${}^{85}$Rb with a precision of 70 kHz, and to resolve hyperfine levels in the $D_2$ line of ${}^{39}$K that are less than 10 MHz apart.

3 pages, 4 figures. To appear in Optics Letters

References in corpus (4)

• High-accuracy wavemeter based on a stabilized diode laser
• Precise frequency measurements of atomic transitions using a Rb-stabilized resonator
• Precise measurement of hyperfine structure in the $5P_{3/2}$ state of ${}^{85}$Rb
• Doppler-free spectroscopy in driven three-level systems

Cited by in corpus (11)

• Saturated-absorption spectroscopy revisited: atomic transitions in strong magnetic fields ($>$20 mT) with a micrometer-thin cell
• High-precision measurement of hyperfine structure in the $D$ lines of alkali atoms
• Saturated absorption spectroscopy: elimination of crossover resonances by use of a nanocell
• Hyperfine measurement of $6{\text{P}}_{1/2}$ state in ${}^{87}\text{Rb}$ using double resonance on blue and IR transition
• Saturation spectra of low lying states of Nitrogen: reconciling experiment with theory
• Direct spectroscopy of Rubidium using a narrow-line transition at 420 nm
• Absolute frequency measurements of the $D_2$ line and fine-structure interval in ${}^{39}$K
• Precise measurement of hyperfine structure in the ${2P}_{1/2}$ state of ${}^7$Li using saturated-absorption spectroscopy
• Optical pumping and relaxation of atomic population in assorted conditions
• Polarization-rotation resonances with subnatural widths using a control laser
• Hyperfine spectroscopy using co-propagating pump-probe beams