Abstract

The resonant magneto-optic spectra of the Rb D₂ transition in the Voigt configuration was measured by using a tunable, narrow-band, single-mode GaAlAs diode laser. The elliptically polarized laser beam with a small ellipticity Δα was incident upon Rb vapor in a transverse magnetic field of 0.75 T. The polarization change caused by magnetically induced optical anisotropy was analyzed with a birefringent prism placed behind the sample with a small offset angle Δθ from the perfectly crossed direction. The Voigt-effect signal had a Zeeman splitting of 50 GHz. The spectral intensity distribution of the signal, determined by the interference between the hyperfine components of ⁸⁵Rb and ⁸⁷Rb, was dependent on Δα, Δθ, and the number density of atoms. The theoretical prediction1 for the Voigt-effect line profiles for various Δα and Δθ agreed with the experimental result. The minimum detectable density of Rb atoms was limited by statistical fluctuations of photon counts.

© 1992 Optical Society of America