Abstract
Abstract
The main subject of this thesis is theoretical modeling of bright and dark
magneto-optical resonances observable on the D1 spectral line of alkali metals.
A theoretical model based on the rate equations for Zeeman coherences is em-
ployed in the research. The theoretical model was developed from the optical
Bloch equations, applying the rotating wave approximation and the decorrela-
tion approach to stochastic dierential equations.
In this thesis the theoretical model is adapted to describe magneto-optical
resonances observed in alkali metal vapor that is conned in either an ordinary
cm-sized cell or an extremely thin cell, whose thickness is comparable to the ex-
citation wavelength. A method for estimating the parameters of the theoretical
model for either of the experimental conditions is developed in the paper.
The adapted theoretical model is tested by comparing its results to the ex-
perimentally registered data. The experimental results are obtained by exciting
atoms with laser radiation and observing the dependence of the
uorescence sig-
nal on a magnetic eld. Atomic vapor of 85Rb, 87Rb, and Cs is used. Rubidium
atoms are studied in both types of cells, but Cesium atoms only in ordinary
cells. Altogether the results of the theoretical model describe the experimental
results well.
Aside from describing experiments, the theoretical model is employed as an
independent tool to study the saturation of the contrast of the dark magneto-
optical resonances and the formation of the dark states.