Theoretical calculations are presented for the probe absorption spectra of atoms having magnetically degenerate ground states which are subjected to weak pump fields that produce spatial polarization gradients. Apart from the Raman resonance contribution to the spectrum which has been observed experimentally, we predict that additional resonant structures should appear as a result of the atomic recoil that occurs during the absorption or emission of radiation by the atoms. The width of the atomic recoil resonances is directly related to the Doppler width associated with the driven transition. For sub-Doppler cooled atoms, the width can be much narrower than the optical pumping rate that determines the width of the Raman signal.

• Received 5 January 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.47.4128