Abstract

Ramsey’s method for the observation of narrow rf resonances is well known from atomic and molecular beam experiments.¹ We demonstrate the occurrence of similar Ramsey resonances in an atomic vapor due to collisional velocity diffusion of sublevel coherence within an optical Doppler distribution. This new phenomenon is observed using coherent resonance Raman processes to optically induce and detect Zeeman coherence in the Sm λ = 570.7 nm j = 1 – J = 0 transition.

© 1986 Optical Society of America