Observation of Magnetically Induced Optical Self-Pulsing in a Fabry-Perot Resonator

Abstract

Magnetically induced optical self-pulsing has been observed in a Fabry-Perot resonator containing sodium vapor. Experiments are performed on optically pumped Zeeman sub-levels of the Na ground state in the presence of a static transverse magnetic field $B$. When $B$ exceeds a critical value $B_{\mathrm{cr}}$, self-sustained spin precession occurs, and the transmitted light is found to be modulated at about the Larmor frequency. The use of this tunable current-controlled oscillator in optical FM signal transmission is demonstrated.