Eur. Phys. J. D 57, 151-154 (2010)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2010-00029-4

Modulation-free pump-probe spectroscopy of strontium atoms

Department of Physics, Durham University, Rochester Building, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

Corresponding author: graham.lochead@dur.ac.uk

Received: 22 July 2009
Revised: 16 October 2009
Published online: 16 February 2010

Abstract

We have performed polarization spectroscopy on the 5s²¹S₀ →5s5p¹P₁ transition of atomic strontium. The signal is generated by saturation effects, rather than optical pumping, as the ground state is non-degenerate. This technique generated a dispersion-type lineshape suitable for laser stabilization, without the need for frequency modulation. The dependence of the amplitude and gradient on intensity and magnetic field were also investigated, and compared to a related technique based on the circular dichroism induced by a magnetic field.