Zeeman-switched optical free induction decay in YLiF4:Er3+

Abstract Heterodyne detection of optical free induction decay signals is accomplished for the first time through the application of a uniform, pulsed magnetic field which rapidly shifts the ion transition frequency. The technique is demonstrated in YLiF 4 :Er 3+ where it is used to determine the high field magnetic moment differences between the ground and metastable crystal field components of the 4 F 9 2 excited state. The temperature dependence of the homogeneous linewidth for several transitions is also discussed.