Quantum beat spectroscopy: Stimulated emission probe of hyperfine quantum beats in the atomic Cs 8p(2)P(3/2) level

Abstract

Measurements of hyperfine polarization quantum beats are used to determine the magnetic dipole (A) and electric quadrupole (B) coupling constants in the excited atomic Cs 8p P-2(3/2) level. The experimental approach is a combination of pulsed optical pumping and time-delayed stimulated-emission probing of the excited level. From the measured evolution of the atomic linear polarization degree as a function of probe delay time, we determine the hyperfine coupling constants A = 7.42(6) MHz and B = 0.14(29) MHz.