Optically induced Faraday effect in a Λ configuration of spin-polarized cold cesium atoms

Jai Min Choi, Jang Myun Kim, Q. Han Park, D. Cho

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    12 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Polarization rotation of weak probe light induced by circularly polarized strong coupling light in a Λ configuration is studied. We use spin-polarized cold cesium atoms trapped in a magneto-optical trap to remove complications from Zeeman distribution, Doppler broadening, and collisional decoherence. By using a very low probe intensity and short illumination period we work in a strictly linear regime. The probe and the coupling fields are optically phase locked to eliminate phase fluctuation and consequent atomic decoherence. Using this idealized situation we clarify the roles of optically induced Faraday rotation, circular dichroism, and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in determining the final state of the probe light. In particular, we identify an experimental situation where the roles of atomic coherence and EIT are important.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number013815
    JournalPhysical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
    Volume75
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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