Doppler-free Rb spectroscopy in student labs

Abstract

A laser absorption spectroscopy setup for Rubidium (Rb) atomic vapor was developed as an optics lab. In this student lab experiment, quantum mechanical and atomic concepts such as fine and hyperfine structure can be investigated.
The importance of Doppler-free techniques, such as saturated-absorption spectroscopy, is demonstrated by uncovering narrow hyperfine features otherwise buried in the Doppler width. Further lines of investigations on systematic effects of frequency shifts and broadening, such as the Doppler-, collisional-, Stark-, and Zeeman effects, can be pursued.