Anomalous narrowing of magnetic-resonance linewidths in optically pumped alkali-metal vapors

Narrowing of magnetic-resonance lines in a dense optically pumped alkali-metal vapor (⁸⁷Rb) has been observed. This observation is shown to be a result of optical pumping with a monochromatic light source tuned such that the real part of the vapor polarizability, which is responsible for light shifts, is essentially zero. A model based on the Bloch equations is used to describe the observed narrowing effect, and results of numerical calculations based on this model are presented. The results agree qualitatively with observations, and show correctly the disappearance of the effect at low light levels. This narrowing effect is of importance to the development of precision frequency standards and magnetometers utilizing monochromatic light sources (such as semiconductor lasers).