Atomic polarization visualized

A method of visualizing atomic polarization as a surface in three dimension s is described. The technique is used to illustrate the evolution of polari zed atoms in external electric and magnetic fields. This can aid in the und erstanding of experiments involving the evolution of atomic polarization, s uch as optical rotation experiments and measurements of discrete symmetry v iolations in atomic systems. (C) 2001 American Association of Physics Teach ers.