Nonlinear magneto-optical resonances for systems withJ∼100observed in K2molecules

2012

We present the results of an experimental as well as a theoretical study of nonlinear magneto-optical resonances in diatomic potassium molecules in the electronic ground state with large values of the angular momentum quantum number $J\ensuremath{\sim}100$. At zero magnetic field, the absorption transitions are suppressed because of population trapping in the ground state due to Zeeman coherences between magnetic sublevels of this state along with depopulation pumping. The destruction of such coherences in an external magnetic field was used to study the resonances in this work. K${}_{2}$ molecules were formed in a glass cell filled with potassium metal at a temperature above 150 ${}^{\ensu…