Two strongly contrasting Λ-systems in the D1 line of 87Rb in a transverse magnetic field

Abstract

Four different types of spectroscopic cells that cover all possible existing versions of sealed-off cells (containing alkali atomic vapor) characterized by drastically different relaxation rates γ_rel are used to study the electromagnetically induced transparency spectra of two Λ-systems in the D₁ line of ⁸⁷Rb in the presence of transverse magnetic field. Two cw narrowband diode-lasers are used to form the coupling laser radiation (with a fixed frequency) and the probe radiation with a tunable frequency. Two strongly contrasting Λ-systems are found: the first shows resonances that are transformed from dark resonances to bright resonances in all cases apart from nanocells, whereas the second shows four dark resonances in all four different types of cell. The theoretical simulations are in good agreement with the experimental results.