Physical basis of the optical non-destructive method of testing of the gas composition in the cells used in quantum sensors

We consider phenomena that significantly affect the accuracy of the spectral method of non-destructive optical quality control of cells with alkali metal vapor and buffer gases used as sensitive elements of miniature quantum sensors – frequency standards, magnetometers, gyroscopes. The method makes it possible to determine the composition of a one- or two-component gas mixture based on the results of measuring the broadening and shift of the optical spectral lines of an alkali metal by collisions with a buffer gas. In this work, using $^{87}$Rb as an example, we demonstrate that the results of such measurements are affected by distortions of line contours resulting from optical ultrafine pumping. A theoretical description of these effects and ways to eliminate the limitations they introduce are proposed.