Coherent manipulation of stored images is performed at low light levels based on enhanced cross-Kerr nonlinearity in a four-level N-type electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) system. Using intensity masks in the signal pulse, quadratic phase shifts with low nonlinear absorption can be efficiently imprinted on the Fraunhofer diffraction patterns already stored in the EIT system. Fast-Fourier-transform-based numerical simulations clearly demonstrate that the far-field images of the retrieved probe light can be flexibly modulated by applying different signal fields. Our studies could help advance the goals of nonlinear all-optical processing for spatial information coherently stored in EIT systems.
Coherent manipulation of stored images is performed at low light levels based on enhanced cross-Kerr nonlinearity in a four-level N-type electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) system. Using intensity masks in the signal pulse, quadratic phase shifts with low nonlinear absorption can be efficiently imprinted on the Fraunhofer diffraction patterns already stored in the EIT system. Fast-Fourier-transform-based numerical simulations clearly demonstrate that the far-field images of the retrieved probe light can be flexibly modulated by applying different signal fields. Our studies could help advance the goals of nonlinear all-optical processing for spatial information coherently stored in EIT systems.
A tripod-type cold atomic system driven by double-probe fields and a coupling field is explored to store double images based on the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). During the storage time, an intensity-dependent signal field is applied further to extend the system with the fifth level involved, then the cross-phase modulation is introduced for coherently manipulating the stored images. Both analytical analysis and numerical simulation clearly demonstrate a tunable phase shift with low nonlinear absorption can be imprinted on the stored images, which effectively can improve the visibility of the reconstructed images. The phase shift and the energy retrieving rate of the probe fields are immune to the coupling intensity and the atomic optical density. The proposed scheme can easily be extended to the simultaneous storage of multiple images. This work may be exploited toward the end of EIT-based multiple-image storage devices for all-optical classical and quantum information processings.
We exploit the giant cross-Kerr nonlinearity of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) system in ultracold atoms to implement vortex-based multimode manipulation of stored light at low light levels. Using image-bearing signal light fields with angular intensity profiles, sinusoidal grating structures with phase-only modulation can be azimuthally imprinted on the stored probe light field, where the nonlinear absorption loss can be ignored. Upon retrieval of the probe light, collinearly superimposed vortex modes can be generated in the far field. Considering the finite size of atomic gas, the Fraunhofer diffraction patterns of the retrieved probe fields and their spiral spectra are numerically investigated, where the diffracted vortex modes can be efficiently controlled by tuning the weak signal fields. Our studies not only exhibit a fundamental diffraction phenomenon with angular grating structures in EIT system, but also provide a fascinating opportunity to realize multidimensional quantum information processing for stored light in an all-optical manner.
A four-level N-type cold atomic system is proposed for optimizing images storage based on the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Both analytical analysis and numerical simulation clearly show that the application, during the storage time, of an additional intensity-modulated signal field and an additional microwave field can impose an intensity and a phase-dependent factors on the atomic spin coherence in a controlled manner, then the amplitude of the retrieved images can be increased or decreased with an enhancement in the visibility. Our results are very promising for the realization of all-optical information processing of images coherently stored in EIT media in the future.
We investigate, both theoretically and experimentally, the cross-Kerr nonlinearity generated in a four-level tripod system in the 87Rb D1 line. The system exhibits simultaneous electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) windows for two weak (probe and trigger) fields and the enhanced cross-Kerr nonlinearity by EIT. The cross-Kerr nonlinear phase shifts for probe (trigger) field are measured at several different intensities of trigger (probe) field. The results show that large cross-phase modulation (XPM) coefficients can be achieved at low light intensities.
Without requiring parity-time ( PT ) symmetric optical potential, we explore a memory-based temporal synthesis mechanism for non-Hermitian photon control using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). In an N -type EIT system, a dynamic double-lattice configuration can be scheduled to sequentially impose spatially shifted periodic cross-phase modulation and cross-amplitude modulation on the spin excitation via giant Kerr nonlinearity. Passive PT -symmetric imprinting can thus be temporally synthesized in coherent optical memory at low light levels, whereby the PT phase transition of the system is flexibly engineered in the time domain. Using the multiple exposure technique, the PT -symmetric moiré imprinting could be further synthesized to control several equal-intensity diffraction peaks. Our work holds promise for time-dependent non-Hermitian manipulation of the retrieved light.
In modern physics, coherent manipulation of photons and electrons has been intensively studied, and may have important applications in classical and quantum information processing. In this dissertation, we consider some interesting schemes to realize photonic and electronic coherent manipulation. ^ In order to coherently manipulate photons, electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) systems have been widely adopted because the optical response of EIT systems can be controlled by the laser-induced atomic coherence. ^ In the second chapter, we theoretically investigate image storage in hot-vapor EIT media. A so-called 4f system is adopted for imaging, and an atomic vapor cell is placed over the transform plane. The Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of an object in the object plane can thus be transformed into atomic Raman coherence according to the idea of "light storage". We investigate how the stored diffraction pattern evolves under diffusion and discuss the essence of the stability of its dark spots. Our result indicates under appropriate conditions that an image can be reconstructed with high fidelity. The main reason for this procedure is the fact that diffusion of opposite-phase components of the diffraction pattern interfere destructively. ^ In the third chapter, we show theoretical evidence that EIT systems can function as optically addressed spatial light modulators with megahertz modulation rates. The transverse spatial properties of continuous-wave probe fields can be modulated rapidly using two-dimensional optical patterns. To exemplify our proposal, we study real-time generation and manipulation of Laguerre-Gaussian beams by means of phase or amplitude modulation using flat-top image-bearing pulse trains as coupling fields in low-cost hot-vapor EIT systems. ^ In order to coherently manipulate electrons, we consider graphene systems, including single-layer graphene and bilayer graphene, which have recently attracted considerable attention. Due to the long coherence length and electrically tunable Fermi levels, electrons in graphene systems have some photon-like behaviors, and could be coherently manipulated. ^ Therefore, in the fourth chapter, we theorize that at a sharp electrostatic step potential in graphene massless Dirac fermions can obtain Goos-Hänchen-like shifts under total internal reflection. Also, we study coherent propagation of the quasiparticles along a sharp graphene p-n-p waveguide, and derive novel dispersion relations for the guided modes. Consequently, coherent graphene-based devices, e.g., movable mirrors, buffers and memories, induced only by the electric field effects may be proposed. ^ Finally, we theoretically investigate the coherent propagation of massive chiral fermions along a sharp bilayer graphene p-n-p waveguide, and indicate that the guided quasiparticles can be coherently slowed, stored and retrieved based on tunable electric field effects. Controlling group velocity in the bilayer graphene p-n-p waveguide is accomplished via interband tunneling through the p-n interfaces, and does not depend on the bandgap opening. ^