New Doppler-free resonance in counterpropagating light waves

The resonance of saturated absorption in counterpropagating light fields is experimentally and theoretically studied. We focus on a case of parallel and linearly polarized waves, driving an open dipole transition in rubidium vapor. A new Doppler-free resonance within the saturated-absorption dip is revealed. The phenomenon can be gained only in absorption of strong wave in presence of weak one. The effect can not be explained basing on the previously known reasons. The results obtained can be found useful in metrology for the frequency and time standards.

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