Spin image of an atomic vapor cell with a resolution smaller than the diffusion crosstalk free distance

The diffusion crosstalk free distance is an important parameter for spin images in atomic vapor cells and is also regarded as a limit on the spatial resolution. However, by modulating the pumping light both spatially and temporally using a digital micromirror device, a spin image of a vapor cell has been obtained with a distinguishable stripe width of 13.7  μm, which is much smaller than the corresponding diffusion crosstalk free distance of ∼138  μm. The fundamental limit on the spatial resolution as determined by diffusion and the uncertainty principle is analyzed.The diffusion crosstalk free distance is an important parameter for spin images in atomic vapor cells and is also regarded as a limit on the spatial resolution. However, by modulating the pumping light both spatially and temporally using a digital micromirror device, a spin image of a vapor cell has been obtained with a distinguishable stripe width of 13.7  μm, which is much smaller than the corresponding diffusion crosstalk free distance of ∼138  μm. The fundamental limit on the spatial resolution as determined by diffusion and the uncertainty principle is analyzed.