Reflection spectroscopy of spin-polarized atoms near a dielectric surface

Abstract

We compare the interactions of spin-polarized Na with glass surfaces that are either bare or silicone coated. For this purpose, we reflect a laser beam that is resonant with the Na atoms from the interface, using an angle of incidence close to the critical angle of total internal reflection. Polarization-selective detection of the reflected light provides information about the ground-state orientation of the atoms, which is created by optical pumping with a second laser beam. Our theoretical description treats the atomic vapor as a homogeneous anisotropic medium characterized by a macroscopic magnetization. Comparative experimental studies performed with silicone-coated and bare glass surfaces provide evidence that wall relaxation can be observed by reflection spectroscopy.

Spin polarization in near-field optical microscopy

“…Moreover, atomic guidance by an evanescent field in micron-tosubmicron hollow fibers has been demonstrated in research on nano/atom photonics [8]. Thus, both superresolution beyond the diffraction limit and size-dependent field confinement have been confirmed as inherent characteristics of nearfield optical microscopy and spectroscopy.Prior to these advances, atomic behavior near the substrate associated with the energy shift of resonance, the line shape, the strength, and the width of resonance has been investigated in detail theoretically and experimentally by optical pump-probe spectroscopy [9][10][11][12][13][14]. For example, the spin polarization and magnetic resonance of alkali-metal atomic vapors (cesium and rubidium) have been measured by selective reflection optical pumping [11].…”

“…For example, the spin polarization and magnetic resonance of alkali-metal atomic vapors (cesium and rubidium) have been measured by selective reflection optical pumping [11]. An evanescent field used as a probe beam showed different signal behavior from a propagating field in the presence of sodium atoms [12].The optical spin orientation on III-V semiconductor materials such as GaAs has likewise been extensively studied to determine the details of their band structure, the types of optical transition and relaxation processes, and so on [15]. These materials have also been investigated from the viewpoint of spin-polarized electron tunneling [16,17], while the spin polarization of magnetic materials has been systematically studied by scanning tunneling microscopy [18,19].…”

“…Prior to these advances, atomic behavior near the substrate associated with the energy shift of resonance, the line shape, the strength, and the width of resonance has been investigated in detail theoretically and experimentally by optical pump-probe spectroscopy [9][10][11][12][13][14]. For example, the spin polarization and magnetic resonance of alkali-metal atomic vapors (cesium and rubidium) have been measured by selective reflection optical pumping [11].…”

“…For example, the spin polarization and magnetic resonance of alkali-metal atomic vapors (cesium and rubidium) have been measured by selective reflection optical pumping [11]. An evanescent field used as a probe beam showed different signal behavior from a propagating field in the presence of sodium atoms [12].…”

Laser-Assisted Magnetic Resonance: Principles and Applications

“…Similarly, the presence of resonant atoms changes the refractive index of the medium and thereby the reflection coefficient. Both effects can be used for measuring magnetic resonance spectra of atoms that are within an optical wavelength of the reflecting surface [77,78,79,80,81].…”