Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1205.6247 · Physical Review A

Distinguishing coherent atomic processes using wave mixing

A. M. Akulshin, Russell McLean

Published Jun 26, 2012• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We are able to clearly distinguish the processes responsible for enhanced low-intensity atomic Kerr nonlinearity, namely coherent population trapping and coherent population oscillations in experiments performed on the Rb ${D}_{1}$ line, where one or the other process dominates under appropriate conditions. The potential of this approach based on wave mixing for probing coherent atomic media is discussed. It allows the new spectral components to be detected with sub-kHz resolution, which is well below the laser linewidth limit. Spatial selectivity and enhanced sensitivity make this method useful for testing dilute cold atomic samples.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.85.065802

Related papers

Probing degenerate two-level atomic media by coherent optical heterodyning

A. M. Akulshin, Russell McLean, Andrei I. Sidorov +1 more

We analyse how light-induced coherent population oscillations and ground-state Zeeman coherence in an atomic medium with degenerate two-level transitions can modify spectra of applied cw resonant radiation at the sub-mW power level. The use of mutually coherent optical fields and heterodyne detection schemes allows spectral resolution at a kHz level, well below the laser linewidth. We find that ground-state Zeeman coherence may facilitate nonlinear wave mixing, while coherent population oscillations are responsible for phase and amplitude modulation of the applied fields. Conditions for the generation of new optical fields by nonlinear wave mixing in degenerate two-level atomic media are formulated.

arXiv:1106.0573•Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Aug 9, 2011•10 citations

Enhanced Kerr Nonlinearity at Low Light Intensity

A. M. Akulshin, Andrei I. Sidorov, Russell McLean +1 more

Both long-lived coherences and coherent population oscillations result in dramatic enhancement of a Kerr nonlinearity in atomic media at very low intensity of resonant light. We demonstrate the possibility of separating the contributions from these effects under certain experimental conditions. We report a study of the nonlinear optical properties of atomic media under a variety of experimental conditions at low light intensity, paying particular attention to self-focussing, diffraction and quasi-degenerate wave mixing.

Quantum-Atom Optics Downunder (QAO)•Jan 1, 2007•1 citation

Probing Zeeman coherence in nearly degenerate two-level atomic vapour with four-wave mixing

A. M. Akulshin, A. I. Sidorov, Russell McLean +1 more

We present results of a study of four-wave mixing in Rb vapour with highly nonlinear susceptibility, using both homodyne and heterodyne detection. We demonstrate that the spectra have different appearances for media possessing electromagnetically induced transparency and electromagnetically induced absorption, and for different relative polarizations of the drive and probe fields. We show that these differences allow the contributions of different processes responsible for the enhanced Kerr nonlinearity of the media to be distinguished.

arXiv:0910.5024•Oct 27, 2009•0 citations

Coherent population trapping and four-wave mixing via dark states in a Doppler-broadened open Rb system

S. Wang, D. G. Ducreay, Rodolfo Pina +2 more

We report an experimental study of coherent population trapping and four-wave mixing via multilevel dark states prepared in the ground hyperfine states of ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms. The dark states are created by \ensuremath{\Lambda}-type coupling chains driven by a linearly polarized pump laser tuned to the ${D}_{1}$ $F=2\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}{F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=1$ transition. The Doppler shift in the coupling chains is compensated by the left- and right-circularly polarized components of the pump laser. The multilevel dark states are explored by a probe laser and their existence is manifested by a strong dependence of the probe excitation and four-wave-mixing emission on the probe polarization. Our experiment shows that coherent population trapping in multilevel dark states of a degenerate atomic system should be useful in the coherence control of optical nonlinearity.

Physical Review A•Feb 11, 2000•17 citations

Nonlinear wave-mixing spectroscopy for sub-Doppler isotope analysis with trace-level detection sensitivity

Wendy Lyons, Julia M. Schäfer, Ron Briggs +2 more

Nonlinear spectroscopic method based on degenerate four-wave mixing allows unusually sensitive measurement of isotopes and hyperfine profiles with sub-Doppler spectral resolution. Compared to other isotope capable methods including mass spectrometry, wave mixing offers a simple, more cost effective approach with minimal sample preparation steps. Since no two hyperfine profiles are alike, hyperfine-based isotope analysis offers unambiguous isotope information. Unlike mass-based methods such as mass spectrometry, frequency-based wave-mixing spectroscopy offers more information rich spectra. A non-planar 3-D wave-mixing optical setup generates a coherent signal beam in its own space and propagation direction. Hence, virtually 100% of the signal can be collected and detected conveniently. Using compact solid-state lasers and popular atomizers, a wave-mixing setup is relatively compact. Sub-Doppler spectral resolution can be further enhanced by using simple low-pressure atomizers. Ultrasensitive fingerprinting of important isotopes promises many potential applications.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Sep 28, 2005•0 citations

High-contrast coherent population trapping resonances using four-wave mixing in ^87Rb

Vishal Shah, Svenja A. Knappe, Leo W. Hollberg +1 more

We demonstrate very high-contrast coherent population trapping(1) (CPT) resonances by using four-wave mixing in (87)Rb atoms. In the experiment, we take advantage of the spectral overlap between F=2-->F(?) and F=3-->F(?) optical resonances on the D1 line of (87)Rb and (85)Rb atoms, respectively, to eliminate the DC-light background from the CPT resonance signal. We observe a CPT resonance with a contrast in the range of 90%, compared with a few percent achieved by alternative methods.

Optics Letters•Apr 17, 2007•37 citations
We are able to clearly distinguish the processes responsible for enhanced low-intensity atomic Kerr nonlinearity, namely coherent population trapping and coherent population oscillations in experiments performed on the Rb D1{D}_{1}D1​ line, where one or the other process dominates under appropriate conditions. The potential of this approach based on wave mixing for probing coherent atomic media is discussed. It allows the new spectral components to be detected with sub-kHz resolution, which is well below the laser linewidth limit. Spatial selectivity and enhanced sensitivity make this method useful for testing dilute cold atomic samples.
We analyse how light-induced coherent population oscillations and ground-state Zeeman coherence in an atomic medium with degenerate two-level transitions can modify spectra of applied cw resonant radiation at the sub-mW power level. The use of mutually coherent optical fields and heterodyne detection schemes allows spectral resolution at a kHz level, well below the laser linewidth. We find that ground-state Zeeman coherence may facilitate nonlinear wave mixing, while coherent population oscillations are responsible for phase and amplitude modulation of the applied fields. Conditions for the generation of new optical fields by nonlinear wave mixing in degenerate two-level atomic media are formulated.
Both long-lived coherences and coherent population oscillations result in dramatic enhancement of a Kerr nonlinearity in atomic media at very low intensity of resonant light. We demonstrate the possibility of separating the contributions from these effects under certain experimental conditions. We report a study of the nonlinear optical properties of atomic media under a variety of experimental conditions at low light intensity, paying particular attention to self-focussing, diffraction and quasi-degenerate wave mixing.
We present results of a study of four-wave mixing in Rb vapour with highly nonlinear susceptibility, using both homodyne and heterodyne detection. We demonstrate that the spectra have different appearances for media possessing electromagnetically induced transparency and electromagnetically induced absorption, and for different relative polarizations of the drive and probe fields. We show that these differences allow the contributions of different processes responsible for the enhanced Kerr nonlinearity of the media to be distinguished.
We report an experimental study of coherent population trapping and four-wave mixing via multilevel dark states prepared in the ground hyperfine states of 87Rb{}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb atoms. The dark states are created by \ensuremath{\Lambda}-type coupling chains driven by a linearly polarized pump laser tuned to the D1{D}_{1}D1​ $F=2\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}{F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=1$ transition. The Doppler shift in the coupling chains is compensated by the left- and right-circularly polarized components of the pump laser. The multilevel dark states are explored by a probe laser and their existence is manifested by a strong dependence of the probe excitation and four-wave-mixing emission on the probe polarization. Our experiment shows that coherent population trapping in multilevel dark states of a degenerate atomic system should be useful in the coherence control of optical nonlinearity.
Nonlinear spectroscopic method based on degenerate four-wave mixing allows unusually sensitive measurement of isotopes and hyperfine profiles with sub-Doppler spectral resolution. Compared to other isotope capable methods including mass spectrometry, wave mixing offers a simple, more cost effective approach with minimal sample preparation steps. Since no two hyperfine profiles are alike, hyperfine-based isotope analysis offers unambiguous isotope information. Unlike mass-based methods such as mass spectrometry, frequency-based wave-mixing spectroscopy offers more information rich spectra. A non-planar 3-D wave-mixing optical setup generates a coherent signal beam in its own space and propagation direction. Hence, virtually 100% of the signal can be collected and detected conveniently. Using compact solid-state lasers and popular atomizers, a wave-mixing setup is relatively compact. Sub-Doppler spectral resolution can be further enhanced by using simple low-pressure atomizers. Ultrasensitive fingerprinting of important isotopes promises many potential applications.