Fluorescence of rubidium vapor in a transient interaction regime

Abstract

We have studied modification of the fluorescence spectra of a room-temperature atomic rubidium vapor in the region of $^{85}$Rb and $^{87}$Rb D$_2$ line while changing the temporal rate of linear (triangular) scanning of laser radiation frequency. Increase of the ramping speed over certain value ($\approx$ 10$^6$ MHz/s) results in essential modification of magnitudes of individual atomic transitions, different on rising and falling slopes, which characterize transition from a steady-state interaction regime to a transient one. Our experimental results are well consistent with the developed theoretical model. The obtained results can be used for determination of atomic system parameters such as ground-state relaxation rate. Possible follow-up actions on addressed control of atomic levels population is discussed.