Absorption profiles of alkali-metalDlines in the presence of a static magnetic field

Abstract

When atoms are placed in a static magnetic field, they undergo shifts of their energy levels and changes in their transition probabilities. These two effects must be taken into account when considering absorption profiles of alkali-metal D lines, which result from the contribution of many transitions influenced by the laser spectrum and Doppler broadening. The model presented here gives the D-line absorption coefficients of alkali-metal vapors in the presence of an arbitrary static magneitc field. They are evaluated considering various laser polarizations. Experimental measurements of D-line absorption profiles for ${}_{}{}^{85}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Rb}$, ${}_{}{}^{87}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Rb}$, and ${}_{}{}^{133}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Cs}$ isotopes show excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.