Study of Selective Reflection Spectroscopy: the Frequency Shift Measurement of Rubidium D(1) Line.

Selective reflection (SR) spectroscopy is frequently used as a tool to investigate other physics processes in last few years. To do so, a good understanding of the lineshape of the SR is essential. In this thesis, a theory of SR is developed for a high density vapor under the assumption of an exponentially decaying field with atom-wall interaction and Lorentz-Lorenz correction considered. The surface attraction strength C_3 = 1.2 kHz murm m^3 of London-Van der Waals potential for Rb D_1 5P_{1/2}-->5S_{1/2 } transition is obtained theoretically and verified experimentally. Simulations of SR theory at high density is performed and the lineshape is compared to those of other theories. A robust Rb vapor cell is built for this experiment. An atomic number density as high as N = 2.7times10 ^{17} rm cm^{-3 } is achieved. A series of low noise SR lineshapes are obtained across a density range of 3.0times10 ^{14} cm^{-3 } to 2.7times10^{17} cm^{-3}. Different methods are employed in the data analysis of the experimental results. By fitting the experimental data of Rb D_1 multiline structure with theoretical calculations, the collisional shift, the transient shift plus the Lorentz -Lorenz shift are measured. For Rb D_1 5P_{1/2}-->5S_ {1/2} transition, a coefficient of collisional, transient plus Lorentz-Lorenz shift of (4.7 +/- 0.5)times10^{-9} cm^3 Hz for hfs component F = 3 -->rm F^' = 2 of Rb^{85} is obtained with a ratio of (gamma _{shift}+gamma_{trans }+gamma_{L-L})/gamma_ {self}=(-7+/-0.7)%, and a coefficient of collisional shift transient plus Lorentz-Lorenz shift of (1.22 +/- 0.24)times10 ^{-8} rm cm^3 Hz with a ratio of (gamma_ {shift}+gamma_{trans}+ gamma_{L-L})/ gamma_ {self}=(-18.+/-3.6)% at high density ({>}1times10^{16} rm cm^{-3})..