Line shapes in sub-Doppler DAVLL in the 87Rb-D2 line

•We present a study of sub-Doppler DAVLL for the D2 transition line of 87Rb atoms.•The experimental results are compared with calculated results.•The coherence effect must be included in the signal for the cycling transition line.

We present a theoretical and experimental study of the sub-Doppler dichroic atomic vapor laser lock (DAVLL) for the D2 transition line of 87Rb atoms. The experimental results of the sub-Doppler DAVLL spectra are compared with calculated results using both accurate density matrix equations and approximate rate equations. We find good agreement between the experimental and calculated results. In particular, the coherence effect must be included in the signal for the cycling transition line.