Subnatural linewidths in two-photon excited-state spectroscopy

M. Tanasittikosol, C. Carr, C. S. Adams, and K. J. Weatherill
Phys. Rev. A 85, 033830 – Published 26 March 2012

Abstract

We investigate, theoretically and experimentally, absorption on an excited-state atomic transition in a thermal vapor where the lower state is coherently pumped. We find that the transition linewidth can be subnatural, that is, less than the combined linewidth of the lower and upper state. For the specific case of the 6P3/27S1/2 transition in room temperature cesium vapor, we measure a minimum linewidth of 6.6 MHz compared with the natural width of 8.5 MHz. Using perturbation techniques, an expression for the complex susceptibility is obtained which provides excellent agreement with the measured spectra.

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  • Received 9 February 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.85.033830

©2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Tanasittikosol, C. Carr, C. S. Adams, and K. J. Weatherill

  • Department of Physics, Durham University, Rochester Building, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom

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Vol. 85, Iss. 3 — March 2012

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