Magneto-optical effects and rf magnetic field detection in cold rubidium atoms

Abstract

We present the results of our latest experiments on atomic coherences in cold atoms. Interaction of atoms with a near-resonant, linearly polarized light leads to an effective creation of long-lived ground-state Zeeman coherences which is observed through the nonlinear Faraday effect or free induction decay signals of the Larmor precession. Both optically and radio-frequency induced Zeeman coherences are observed, with relaxation rates around a 100 Hz.