Spectroscopy of coherent dark resonances in multilevel atoms for the example of samarium vapor

A universal theory for calculating coherent population trapping resonances in multilevel atoms is suggested. The theory allows arbitrary schemes of multilevel atoms and their excitations to be calculated taking into account the influence of relaxation effects in atoms, applied magnetic field, and the Doppler effect. The experimental data obtained by high-precision diode spectroscopy of coherent dark resonances in samarium vapor are systematically analyzed using the suggested theory. In the absence of a magnetic field, the model of samarium is based on consideration of a degenerate Λ system of the 4f 66s2(7F0) ↔ 4f 6(7F)6s6p(3P0)9F10 ↔ 4f 66s2(7F1) active transitions. If the fourth 4f 66s2(7F2) level is taken into account, this Λ system becomes open. Numerical simulation of coherent population trapping resonances shows that the open character of the system decreases the contrast of resonance curves in absorption spectra without changing resonance widths. The system under applied external longitudinal and transverse magnetic fields is correctly described by 7- and 12-level models of atomic transitions, respectively