Observation of Faraday Rotation in Cold Atoms in an Integrating Sphere
ZHENG Ben-Chang1, CHENG Hua-Dong1**, MENG Yan-Ling1, XIAO Ling1, WAN Jin-Yin1, LIU Liang1,2**
1Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201899 2Key Laboratory of Atomic Frequency Standards, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071
Abstract:The Faraday rotation of weak linearly polarized probe light is observed as it passes through a sample of cold 87Rb atoms prepared by diffused light in an integrating sphere. The rotation angle of the probe light-polarization as functions of laser intensity, detuning and biased magnetic field is measured. A Ramsey fringe with a linewidth of 35 Hz and contrast up to 92% is demonstrated. This method has potential applications in improving the performance of atomic clocks with cold atoms.