Observation of Phase-Dependent Coherent Population Trapping in Optically Closed Atomic Systems

Abstract

Phase-dependent coherent population trapping (CPT) was observed using a thermal Na atomic beam irradiated by four laser fields derived from two dye lasers. Investigations were made on Λ- and double Λ-systems created in the D1 line, both with and without magnetic field that lifts degeneracy of the Zeeman sublevels. In all cases a sharp decrease of fluorescence intensity was observed for certain values of the relative phase of the light waves, indicating that the occurrence of CPT depends on this phase. The shape of the phase dependence as well as its behaviour with respect to laser intensity fits well theoretical predictions.