463 research outputs found
Observation of a Large Atomic Parity Violation Effect in Ytterbium
Atomic parity violation has been observed in the 6s^2 1S0 - 5d6s 3D1 408-nm
forbidden transition of ytterbium. The parity-violating amplitude is found to
be two orders of magnitude larger than in cesium, where the most precise
experiments to date have been performed. This is in accordance with theoretical
predictions and constitutes the largest atomic parity-violating amplitude yet
observed. This also opens the way to future measurements of neutron skins and
anapole moments by comparing parity-violating amplitudes for various isotopes
and hyperfine components of the transition
Nonlinear magneto-optical rotation with frequency-modulated light in the geophysical field range
Recent work investigating resonant nonlinear magneto-optical rotation (NMOR)
related to long-lived (\tau\ts{rel} \sim 1 {\rm s}) ground-state atomic
coherences has demonstrated potential magnetometric sensitivities exceeding
for small () magnetic
fields. In the present work, NMOR using frequency-modulated light (FM NMOR) is
studied in the regime where the longitudinal magnetic field is in the
geophysical range (), of particular interest for many
applications. In this regime a splitting of the FM NMOR resonance due to the
nonlinear Zeeman effect is observed. At sufficiently high light intensities,
there is also a splitting of the FM NMOR resonances due to ac Stark shifts
induced by the optical field, as well as evidence of alignment-to-orientation
conversion type processes. The consequences of these effects for FM-NMOR-based
atomic magnetometry in the geophysical field range are considered.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure
Parity nonconservation in Atomic Zeeman Transitions
We discuss the possibility of measuring nuclear anapole moments in atomic
Zeeman transitions and perform the necessary calculations. Advantages of using
Zeeman transitions include variable transition frequencies and the possibility
of enhancement of parity nonconservation effects
Detection of radio frequency magnetic fields using nonlinear magneto-optical rotation
We describe a room-temperature alkali-metal atomic magnetometer for detection
of small, high frequency magnetic fields. The magnetometer operates by
detecting optical rotation due to the precession of an aligned ground state in
the presence of a small oscillating magnetic field. The resonance frequency of
the magnetometer can be adjusted to any desired value by tuning the bias
magnetic field. We demonstrate a sensitivity of in a 3.5 cm diameter, paraffin coated cell. Based
on detection at the photon shot-noise limit, we project a sensitivity of
.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure
Stark shift and parity non-conservation for near-degenerate states of xenon
We identify a pair of near-degenerate states of opposite parity in atomic Xe,
the 5p^5 10s \,\, ^2[3/2]_2^o at cm and 5p^5 6f
\,\, ^2[5/2]_2 at cm, for which parity- and
time-odd effects are expected to be enhanced by the small energy separation. We
present theoretical calculations which indicate narrow widths for both states
and we report a calculated value for the weak matrix element, arising from
configuration mixing, of Hz for Xe. In addition, we measured
the Stark effect of the and
() states. The Stark-shift of the states
is observed to be negative, revealing the presence of nearby states at
higher energies, which have not been observed before. The Stark-shift
measurements imply an upper limit on the weak matrix element of Hz
for the near-degenerate states (10s \,\, ^2[3/2]_2^o and 6f \,\,
^2[5/2]_2), which is in agreement with the presented calculations.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure
Spin-dependent potentials: spurious singularity and bounds on contact terms
This work applies a recent theoretical treatment of spin-dependent potentials
to experimental searches, in particular in antiprotonic helium. The considered
spin-dependent potentials between fermions or spin-polarised macroscopic
objects result from an exchange of exotic spin-0 or spin-1 bosons. We address a
superficial singularity in one of the potentials, as well as technical issues
with contact terms, and use the results to obtain a bound on the pseudovector
coupling constants and boson masses.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Optical control of resonant light transmission for an atom-cavity system
We demonstrate the manipulation of transmitted light through an optical Fabry-Pérot cavity, built around a spectroscopy cell containing enriched rubidium vapor. Light resonant with the 87RbD2 (F=2,F=1) ↔F′ manifold is controlled by the transverse intersection of the cavity mode by another resonant light beam. The cavity transmission can be suppressed or enhanced depending on the coupling of atomic states due to the intersecting beams. The extreme manifestation of the cavity-mode control is the precipitous destruction (negative logic switching) or buildup (positive logic switching) of the transmitted light intensity on intersection of the transverse control beam with the cavity mode. Both the steady-state and transient responses are experimentally investigated. The mechanism behind the change in cavity transmission is discussed in brief
Steep anomalous dispersion in coherently prepared Rb vapor
Steep dispersion of opposite signs in driven degenerate two-level atomic
transitions have been predicted and observed on the D2 line of 87Rb in an
optically thin vapor cell. The intensity dependence of the anomalous dispersion
has been studied. The maximum observed value of anomalous dispersion [dn/dnu ~=
-6x10^{-11}Hz^{-1}] corresponds to anegative group velocity V_g ~= -c/23000.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Investigation of microwave transitions and nonlinear magneto-optical rotation in anti-relaxation-coated cells
Using laser optical pumping, widths and frequency shifts are determined for
microwave transitions between ground-state hyperfine components of Rb
and Rb atoms contained in vapor cells with alkane anti-relaxation
coatings. The results are compared with data on Zeeman relaxation obtained in
nonlinear magneto-optical rotation (NMOR) experiments, a comparison important
for quantitative understanding of spin-relaxation mechanisms in coated cells.
By comparing cells manufactured over a forty-year period we demonstrate the
long-term stability of coated cells, an important property for atomic clocks
and magnetometers
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