Sub-Doppler Spectroscopy of Cs Atoms Optically Pumped in a Thin Cell

Abstract

Optical pumping in a thin Cs vapor cell (end-wall gap 0.5–10 mm) transfers only atoms with small velocity components to a certain energy state. The non-Maxwellian velocity distribution is detected as a hyperfine-resolved spectrum by a double resonance technique using diode lasers. The observed spectral profiles are quantitatively reproduced by the rate-equation analysis in which the velocity-dependent surface relaxation process is taken into account.