Nonlinear Faraday Rotation and Superposition-State Detection in Cold Atoms

Abstract: 

 

We report on the observation of nonlinear Faraday rotation with cold atoms at a temperature of ∼100 μK.
The observed nonlinear rotation of the light polarization plane is up to 0.1 rad over the 1-mm-size atomic
cloud in approximately 10-mG magnetic field. The nonlinearity of rotation results from long-lived coherence of
ground-state Zeeman sublevels created by a near-resonant light. The method allows for creation, detection, and
control of atomic superposition states. It also allows applications for precision magnetometry with high spatial
and temporal resolution.
 
Autorzy / Authors: 
A. Wojciechowski, E. Corsini, J. Zachorowski, and W. Gawlik
Czasopismo: 
PHYSICAL REVIEW A
Rok: 
2010
Tematyka badań: 
Zimne atomy