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arXiv · 0810.2221

Cancellation of nonlinear Zeeman shifts with light shifts

K. Jensen·V. M. Acosta·J. M. Higbie·M. P. Ledbetter·S. M. Rochester·D. Budker
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Abstract

Nonlinear Zeeman (NLZ) shifts arising from magnetic-field mixing of the two hyperfine ground-states in alkali atoms lead to splitting of magnetic-resonance lines. This is a major source of sensitivity degradation and the so-called "heading errors" of alkali-vapor atomic magnetometers operating in the geophysical field range (B approx. 0.2-0.7 G). Here, it is shown theoretically and experimentally that NLZ shifts can be effectively canceled by light shifts caused by a laser field of appropriate intensity, polarization and frequency, a technique that can be readily applied in practical situations.

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K. Jensen, V. M. Acosta, J. M. Higbie, M. P. Ledbetter, S. M. Rochester, D. Budker. 2008-10-13. Cancellation of nonlinear Zeeman shifts with light shifts. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.79.023406

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