Precision measurement of the 5s-5p-5d two-photon, two-color, polarization spectrum in atomic Rb

Summary form only given. A number of sophisticated techniques have been applied to precise measurements of the strength of resonance transitions in heavier alkali atoms. These include refined lifetime measurements in atomic beams, photoassociative spectroscopy of cold atoms confined to atomic traps, and direct measurements of the natural width of an atomic transition. We have made a precise study of the 5s-5p-5d transition in atomic Rb. Measurements of the non-resonant two-photon, two-color linear depolarization spectrum show remarkable polarization-dependent interference structure. Using this novel approach, it was possible to extract the ratio of the transition matrix elements for the two contributing pathways.