Measurement of the ratio of scalar to vector transition polarizabilities for the 6s → 7s transition in atomic cesium

We report progress on an on-going measurement of the ratio of the scalar (α) to vector (β) transition polarizabilities in atomic cesium (¹³³Cs) for the 6s²S_1/2 → 7s²S_1/2 transition. This measurement is part of an effort in our laboratory to resolve the discrepancy between two determinations of the vector polarizability β for this transition [PhysRevLett.123.073002]. For the two-pathway coherent control technique used for this measurement, we drive a two-photon interaction and a Stark-induced electric dipole interaction concurrently. By varying the phase difference between the interactions and the direction of the applied electric field, we will be able to precisely measure the transition strength for each field orientation, and determine the ratio α/β.