Visualization of magnetic fields with cylindrical vector beams in a warm atomic vapor

We propose and demonstrate an experimental implementation for the observation of magnetic fields from spatial features of absorption profiles in a warm atomic vapor. A radially polarized vector beam that traverses atomic vapor will generate an absorption pattern with a petal-like structure by the mediation of a transverse magnetic field (TMF). The spatial absorption pattern rotates when the azimuthal angle of the TMF is changed, while its contrast decreases when the longitudinal component of the magnetic field increases. By analyzing the intensity distribution of the transmitted pattern, we can determine the magnetic field strength. Our work provides a framework for investigating 3D magnetic field distributions based on atoms. (C) 2021 Chinese Laser Press