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Optical Pumping for Alkali Gas Cell Frequency Standard

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Abstract

This paper reviews briefly the optical pumping phenomenon and its use for the development of alkali vapour frequency standards. In particular the discussion will be limited to the development of Rubidium Atomic Frequsncy Standard, the atomic levels used being the hyperfine levels of the ground state of 87Ro isotope 52S ½ F=2 and 52S ½ F=l with mF= 0

In general, resonant light is used for the purpose of creating the population imbalance in the atomic sublevels. Techniques for efficient optical pumping in 87Rb isotope is discussed. The technique employs the excitation of electrons from 52S ½, F= 1 level to the optical excited 5 P levels. Electrons from optical 5 P levels decay spontaneously to both the ground levels, progressively leading to a net over-population in the upper lying ground level.

The effect of pumping light on causing frequency shift in standard is discussed. The frequency shift is caused by two processes, called the real and virtual. In the former, absorption of non-symmetric resonant pumping light by the ground state atoms of the alkali metal leads to the shift in the atomic state. Also, the electric vector of the pumping light causes Stark splitting.

In the virtual process even the non-resonant light interacts with the atomic ensemble. The atomic ensemble absorbs the photon of the incident light for the time which is less than the time corresponding to the energy discrepancy between the incident light and the radiation involved. In conclusion, the performance of the frequency standard is evaluated with reference to the light shifts thus caused.

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  1. National Physical Laboratory, Hillside Road, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Harish Bahadur & R. Parshad

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Bahadur, H., Parshad, R. Optical Pumping for Alkali Gas Cell Frequency Standard. J Opt 5, 59–67 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03548969

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