Atomic bandpass filters are used in a variety of applications due to their
narrow bandwidths and high transmission at specific frequencies. Predominantly
these filters in the Faraday (Voigt) geometry, using an applied
axial(transverse) magnetic field with respect to the laser propagation
direction. Recently, there has been interest in filters realized with
arbitrary-angle magnetic fields, which have been made by rotating permanent
magnets with respect to the k-vector of the interrogating laser beam.
However, the magnetic-field angle achievable with this method is limited as
field uniformity across the cell decreases as the rotation angle increases. In
this work, we propose and demonstrate a new method of generating an
arbitrary-angle magnetic field, using a solenoid to produce a small, and easily
alterable, axial field, in conjunction with fixed permanent magnets to produce
a large transverse field. We directly measure the fields produced by both
methods, finding them to be very similar over the length of the vapor cell. We
then compare the transmission profiles of filters produced using both methods,
again finding excellent agreement. Finally, we demonstrate the sensitivity of
filter profile to changing magnetic-field angle (solenoid current), which
becomes easier to exploit with the much improved angle control and precision
offered by our new design.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure