Theoretical calculations of the LIF versus the magnetic field B for the F_g=2longrightarrow F_e=3 transition of ⁸⁷Rb with different physical effects taken into account: (a) all effects taken into account, (b) detuning effects only, (c) ground-state coherence effects only, (d) excited-state coherent effects only

Figure 5. Theoretical calculations of the LIF versus the magnetic field B for the F_g=2\longrightarrow F_e=3 transition of ⁸⁷Rb with different physical effects taken into account: (a) all effects taken into account, (b) detuning effects only, (c) ground-state coherence effects only, (d) excited-state coherent effects only. Note the different scales! The parameters used in the simulation were as follows: γ = 0.019 MHz, Δω_Laser = 2 MHz, σ_Doppler = 216 MHz, D_Step ≈ 1.73 MHz

Abstract

We present the results of an investigation of the different physical processes that influence the shape of nonlinear magneto-optical signals both at small magnetic field values (~100 mG) and at large magnetic field values (several tens of Gauss). We used a theoretical model that provided an accurate description of experimental signals for a wide range of experimental parameters. By turning various effects 'on' or 'off' inside this model, we investigated the origin of different features of the measured signals. We confirmed that the narrowest structures, with widths of the order of 100 mG, are related mostly to coherences among ground-state magnetic sublevels. The shape of the curves at other scales could be explained by taking into account the different velocity groups of atoms that come into and out of resonance with the exciting laser field. Coherent effects in the excited state can also play a role, although they mostly affect the polarization components of the fluorescence. The results of theoretical calculations are compared with experimental measurements of laser-induced fluorescence from the D₂ line of atomic rubidium as a function of the magnetic field.