We report on studies on optical bistability from coherently driven $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type three-level atoms in a Fabry-Perot resonator. The nonlinear mechanism relies on transverse optical pumping and is due to population trapping in a coherent superposition of the ground-state sublevels. If, under appropriate conditions, a zero-field level-crossing resonance (Hanle resonance) occurs in the atomic system, the optical device is shown to display dispersive or absorptive bistability. Our theoretical studies are based on numerical solutions of the corresponding three-level Bloch equations in the presence of optical feedback. Experiments are performed on the ${D}_{1}$ line in a sodium-filled Fabry-Perot resonator using transverse optical Zeeman pumping of the $^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}$ ground state. The measurements are found to be in fair agreement with the theoretical predictions from our simple model.We report on studies on optical bistability from coherently driven $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type three-level atoms in a Fabry-Perot resonator. The nonlinear mechanism relies on transverse optical pumping and is due to population trapping in a coherent superposition of the ground-state sublevels. If, under appropriate conditions, a zero-field level-crossing resonance (Hanle resonance) occurs in the atomic system, the optical device is shown to display dispersive or absorptive bistability. Our theoretical studies are based on numerical solutions of the corresponding three-level Bloch equations in the presence of optical feedback. Experiments are performed on the ${D}_{1}$ line in a sodium-filled Fabry-Perot resonator using transverse optical Zeeman pumping of the $^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}$ ground state. The measurements are found to be in fair agreement with the theoretical predictions from our simple model.

Physical Review AMar 1, 198438 citations

Experiments with optically trapped sodium atoms

Heun Jin Lee

Jan 1, 20040 citations

Optical Bistability with Two-State Atoms: Steady States and Dynamical Instabilities

Harry J. Kimble, Albert T. Rosenberger, Luis A. Orozco +1 more

Beams of homogeneously broadened two-state sodium atoms in a confocal ring resonator have been employed to investigate the steady-state characteristics of absorptive [1] and dispersive optical bistability. Also studied in the same system is the dynamical behavior due to the intrinsic single-longitudinal-mode instability [2] originating in the alteration of the atomic absorption profile by a strong field as in the Lorenz-type instability in the homogeneously broadened laser. All experimental parameters are carefully measured and corrected for transit broadening, finite absorption, and residual Doppler broadening in order to be able to make an absolute comparison with the single-Gaussian-transverse-mode theory [3-6]. Despite the frequency degeneracy of the transverse modes of the resonator, the agreement with this theory for absorptive bistability is remarkably good. The dispersive bistability data are more difficult to interpret, but they seem to be in reasonable agreement with the theory; the same can be said of the results for the domain and oscillation frequency of the instability, at least within a certain region of parameter space. Outside this region, multiple unstable states appear for various intracavity intensities; recent observations suggest that these may be due in part to instabilities involving higher-order transverse modes of the resonator.Beams of homogeneously broadened two-state sodium atoms in a confocal ring resonator have been employed to investigate the steady-state characteristics of absorptive [1] and dispersive optical bistability. Also studied in the same system is the dynamical behavior due to the intrinsic single-longitudinal-mode instability [2] originating in the alteration of the atomic absorption profile by a strong field as in the Lorenz-type instability in the homogeneously broadened laser. All experimental parameters are carefully measured and corrected for transit broadening, finite absorption, and residual Doppler broadening in order to be able to make an absolute comparison with the single-Gaussian-transverse-mode theory [3-6]. Despite the frequency degeneracy of the transverse modes of the resonator, the agreement with this theory for absorptive bistability is remarkably good. The dispersive bistability data are more difficult to interpret, but they seem to be in reasonable agreement with the theory; the same can be said of the results for the domain and oscillation frequency of the instability, at least within a certain region of parameter space. Outside this region, multiple unstable states appear for various intracavity intensities; recent observations suggest that these may be due in part to instabilities involving higher-order transverse modes of the resonator.

Topical Meeting on Optical Bistability (OB)Jan 1, 19851 citation

Quantum “Optical” Bistability with Rydberg Na Atoms

R. Bullough, Saad S. M. Hassan, G. P. Hildred +1 more

Springer proceedings in physicsJan 1, 19861 citation

Behavior of sodium atomic vapor in optical cavities below the threshold for bistability

W. Schulz, W. R. MacGillivray, M. C. Standage

A study is presented of the transmission characteristics of low-finesse ring and Fabry-Perot optical cavities containing sodium vapor and operated below the threshold for optical bistability. Novel features are observed in the transmission signals obtained as the laser light frequency is swept through resonance with a sodium D transition. The ring cavity transmission peaks display a broad absorption profile except for the peak which is tuned to the center of the profile which is almost completely transmitted. A similarly tuned cavity transmission peak in the Fabry-Perot \'etalon is split into three, with the central peak being very narrow. A theoretical description for each cavity is developed in terms of a \ensuremath{\Lambda}-type, three-state model for the atomic energy levels associated with the transition. Using parameter values based on the experimental conditions, theoretical transmission signals for the linear cavity are obtained which are in good detailed agreement with the experimental results. For the ring cavity, agreement is also good except for the degree of absorption of the central peak.A study is presented of the transmission characteristics of low-finesse ring and Fabry-Perot optical cavities containing sodium vapor and operated below the threshold for optical bistability. Novel features are observed in the transmission signals obtained as the laser light frequency is swept through resonance with a sodium D transition. The ring cavity transmission peaks display a broad absorption profile except for the peak which is tuned to the center of the profile which is almost completely transmitted. A similarly tuned cavity transmission peak in the Fabry-Perot \'etalon is split into three, with the central peak being very narrow. A theoretical description for each cavity is developed in terms of a \ensuremath{\Lambda}-type, three-state model for the atomic energy levels associated with the transition. Using parameter values based on the experimental conditions, theoretical transmission signals for the linear cavity are obtained which are in good detailed agreement with the experimental results. For the ring cavity, agreement is also good except for the degree of absorption of the central peak.

Physical Review AAug 1, 19872 citations

{D}_{1}

line in a sodium-filled Fabry-Perot resonator using transverse optical Zeeman pumping of the

^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}

ground state. The measurements are found to be in fair agreement with the theoretical predictions from our simple model.