Optical characterization of antirelaxation coatings for photonics applications

Optical characterization of antirelaxation coatings with regard to their applications in coherent spectroscopy and LIAD experiments is presented. A simple method, based on the recording of the fluorescence intensity of the Rb alkali atoms during resonant light pulse irradiation is used for comparison of the antirelaxation properties of the coatings. The LIAD yield and dynamics are measured by registration of the 780 nm Rb line transmission. The comparison of the parameters of PDMS coatings prepared with two different solutions in ether (PDMS 2% and PDMS 5%) shows that when illuminating with such LED intensity at which the LIAD efficiency is equal in the two cells, the light induced Rb vapor density changes are about an order of magnitude slower in the PDMS 2% cell, and the antirelaxation properties of the two cells are equal.