Self-induced rotation of the polarization plane of laser radiation in resonant media

The paper reports results of an experimental study of the self-induced rotation of the polarization plane of laser radiation during the excitation of rubidium atoms in the vicinity of the 5S1/2-5P3/2 transition. The observed self-induced optical anisotropy of the medium is related to the resonant character of the nonlinear susceptibility and the finite degree of ellipticity of the laser radiation.