Polarization spectroscopy of the 5S1=2–5D5/2 two-photon transition in rubidium
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2025
Publication Title
American Journal of Physics
Abstract
We describe a one-color, two-photon polarization spectroscopy experiment on the 5S1=2–5D5/2 transition in rubidium, suitable for implementation in an advanced undergraduate instructional laboratory. The proposed laboratory module synergistically combines polarization spectroscopy with established fluorescence detection at a wavelength different from the excitation wavelength. The curriculum provided in this paper allows students to compare experimental results with predicted theoretical lineshapes and to study the intensity dependence of the two-photon transition. The module also provides a springboard that enables instructors to expand the curriculum to incorporate additional measurements and theoretical analyses. These activities include collecting spectra on additional transitions, measuring the temperature dependence of the spectral amplitudes, or using the dispersive polarization spectra to frequency stabilize a laser without modulation.
Volume Number
93
Issue Number
10
First Page
824
Last Page
834
DOI
10.1119/5.0254590
Recommended Citation
Busch, H. C.; Busch, C. F.; and Sukenik, C. I., "Polarization spectroscopy of the 5S1=2–5D5/2 two-photon transition in rubidium" (2025). Faculty and Staff Works. 872.
https://kb.gcsu.edu/fac-staff/872