Sensitive determination of the spin polarization of optically pumped alkali-metal atoms using near-resonant light.
A new method to measure the spin polarization of optically pumped alkali-metal atoms is demonstrated. Unlike the conventional method using far-detuned probe light, the near-resonant light with two specific frequencies was chosen. Because the Faraday rotation angle of this approach can be two orders of magnitude greater than that with the conventional method, this approach is more sensitive to the spin polarization. Based on the results of the experimental scheme, the spin polarization measurements are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical predictions, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of this approach.
College of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.|Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
Zhichao
Z
Ding
College of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
Xingwu
X
Long
College of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.|Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
Jie
J
Yuan
College of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.|Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
Zhenfang
Z
Fan
College of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.|Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
Hui
H
Luo