Velocity selective optical pumping effects on 85Rb atoms from various coupling beam polarization configurations

We have investigated velocity selective spectral profile variations of probe beam transmittance at Fg=3→Fe=2,3, and 4 hyperfine manifolds of 85Rb atoms along with coherence effects at the Fg=3→Fe=4 transition with various coupling laser polarization configurations and a fixed probe polarization (σ+). Laser linewidth, atomic velocity distributions, frequency mixing of the coupling and probe laser beams between degenerate magnetic sublevels, and polarization variations of the coupling beam with the probe beam fixed at the Fg=3→Fe=4 transition were used to simulate the line profiles. The calculated transmittance signals are in good agreement with observed signals for each coupling laser polarization configuration.