Ultraslow Optical Dephasing of La<span class="aps-inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><msub><mrow><mi mathvariant="normal">F</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>3</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></math></span>: <span class="aps-inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><msup><mrow><mi mathvariant="normal">Pr</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>3</mn><mo>+</mo></mrow></msup></mrow></math></span>

R. G. DeVoe; A. Szabo; S. C. Rand; R. G. Brewer

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.42.1560

Ultraslow Optical Dephasing of La $F_{3}$ : $\Pr^{3 +}$

R. G. DeVoe, A. Szabo, S. C. Rand, and R. G. Brewer

Phys. Rev. Lett. 42, 1560 – Published 4 June 1979

Abstract

Optical free-induction dephasing times as long as 16 μsec, corresponding to an optical homogenous linewidth of 10 kHz, have been observed for the ${}^{3}H_{4} \leftrightarrow {}^{1}D_{2}$ transition of $\Pr^{3 +}$ ions in La $F_{3}$ at 2°K. Measurements are facilitated by a frequency-locked cw dye laser and a new form of laser frequency switching. Zeeman studies reveal a Pr-F dipole-dipole dephasing mechanism where the Pr nuclear moment is enhanced in both ${}^{1}D_{2}$ and ${}^{3}H_{4}$ .