TY - JOUR

T1 - Dual-frequency sub-Doppler spectroscopy

T2 - Extended theoretical model and microcell-based experiments

AU - Brazhnikov, Denis

AU - Petersen, Michael

AU - Coget, Grégoire

AU - Passilly, Nicolas

AU - Maurice, Vincent

AU - Gorecki, Christophe

AU - Boudot, Rodolphe

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2019 American Physical Society.

PY - 2019/6/17

Y1 - 2019/6/17

N2 - Sub-Doppler spectroscopy in alkali-metal vapor cells using two counterpropagating dual-frequency laser beams allows the detection of high-contrast sign-reversed natural-linewidth sub-Doppler resonances. Previously, a qualitative theory based on a simplified Λ-scheme model has been reported to explain underlying physics of this phenomenon. In this paper, an extended theoretical model of dual-frequency sub-Doppler spectroscopy (DFSDS) for the Cs D1 line is reported. Taking into account the real atomic energy structure, main relaxation processes, and various nonlinear effects, this model describes quantitatively the respective contributions of involved physical processes and predicts main properties (height and linewidth) of the sub-Doppler resonances. Experimental tests are performed with a Cs vapor microfabricated cell and results are found to be in correct agreement with theoretical predictions. Spatial oscillations of the sub-Doppler resonance amplitude with translation of the reflection mirror are highlighted. A beat note between two laser systems, including one stabilized with DFSDS on a Cs vapor microcell, yields a fractional frequency stability of 2×10-12τ-1/2 until 10-s averaging time. These results demonstrate that DFSDS could be an interesting approach for the development of a high-performance microcell-based optical frequency reference, with applications in various compact quantum devices.

AB - Sub-Doppler spectroscopy in alkali-metal vapor cells using two counterpropagating dual-frequency laser beams allows the detection of high-contrast sign-reversed natural-linewidth sub-Doppler resonances. Previously, a qualitative theory based on a simplified Λ-scheme model has been reported to explain underlying physics of this phenomenon. In this paper, an extended theoretical model of dual-frequency sub-Doppler spectroscopy (DFSDS) for the Cs D1 line is reported. Taking into account the real atomic energy structure, main relaxation processes, and various nonlinear effects, this model describes quantitatively the respective contributions of involved physical processes and predicts main properties (height and linewidth) of the sub-Doppler resonances. Experimental tests are performed with a Cs vapor microfabricated cell and results are found to be in correct agreement with theoretical predictions. Spatial oscillations of the sub-Doppler resonance amplitude with translation of the reflection mirror are highlighted. A beat note between two laser systems, including one stabilized with DFSDS on a Cs vapor microcell, yields a fractional frequency stability of 2×10-12τ-1/2 until 10-s averaging time. These results demonstrate that DFSDS could be an interesting approach for the development of a high-performance microcell-based optical frequency reference, with applications in various compact quantum devices.

KW - ABSORPTION RESONANCE

KW - LASER STABILIZATION

KW - VAPOR MICROCELL

KW - D2 LINE

KW - POLARIZATION

KW - CHIP

KW - TRANSITIONS

KW - FIELD

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85068268957&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevA.99.062508

DO - 10.1103/PhysRevA.99.062508

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85068268957

VL - 99

JO - Physical Review A

JF - Physical Review A

SN - 2469-9926

IS - 6

M1 - 062508

ER -