Propagation of resonant 0 pi pulses in rubidium

The propagation of resonant 0 pi pulses in atomic rubidium is investigated experimentally and theoretically. In order to explain the observed pulse sh aping, the hyperfine structure of the D1 transition for both isotopes is in cluded. The influence of the hyperfine structure is also demonstrated by co mparison between measurements in a natural mixture of atomic rubidium and p ure rubidium 87. The characteristic difference between pulse shapes for mod erate and large absorption is explained by means of a transfer function. [S 1050-2947(99)05901-6].