Linear magneto-optic rotation in a cold gas

Abstract

In this paper, we report on our first measurements of the linear magneto-optic rotation experienced by a linearly polarized weak probe field as it passes through a sample of cold sodium atoms. The results are compared with theory that does account for the residual Doppler broadening but that does not take into account the recoil experienced by the atoms. We compare the results of our theoretical model with our measurements and find that, at the time of this conference presentation, there still exists a discrepancy. Improvements for future experiments are outlined.