Polarization switching versus optical bistability: Experimental observations for aJlower=1toJupper=0transition in a Fabry-Perot cavity

Abstract

Experiments on the steady-state, nonlinear behavior of the ${}_{}{}^7{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{F}_1^{}{}_{}{}^{}$ ${\mathrm{-}}^7$ ${\mathrm{F}}_0^{\mathrm{o}}$ 570.68-nm transition of atomic samarium in a laser-driven, near-concentric Fabry-Perot cavity are reported. For zero applied magnetic field, only simple optical bistability, symmetric in both ${\sigma }^{+}$ and ${\sigma }^{\mathrm{-}}$ transmitted polarizations, is observed for a linearly polarized excitation beam. However, for a magnetic field applied parallel to the propagation direction, polarization-sensitive switching appears, with lowest power threshold near the edge of the Doppler-broadened region. Subsidiary measurements of atomic parameters are also given to enable the transition to be experimentally well characterized.