Optical mixing in atomic vapors

G. Grynberg

Tahani Halifa

Richard R. Freeman, Gary C. Bjorklund

B. Ai, David S. Glassner, R. J. Knize +1 more

We demonstrate efficient degenerate four-wave mixing in a 10 μm cell of cesium atomic vapor using resonant light. This thin atomic vapor can be utilized for processing high resolution images in a joint transform optical correlator. A figure of merit is presented showing that thin atomic vapors can perform optical correlation of images using fewer photons than other materials.

Francis Bitter

B. Ai, David S. Glassner, R. J. Knize

Resonant cw degenerate four-wave mixing signals usually are not observed at noncycling transitions in alkali-metal vapors due to population depletion from optical pumping. We demonstrate that frequent atom-wall collisions can overcome the effects of optical pumping when atomic vapors are contained in thin cells. Significantly enhanced degenerate four-wave mixing signals are observed at noncycling transitions, and they are comparable in magnitude to the signals observed at cycling transitions in thin cells. This technique extends the utilization of degenerate four-wave mixing to noncycling transitions in atoms or molecules.