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

Physical Review A

Four-wave mixing with Rydberg levels in rubidium vapor: Observation of interference fringes

Wictor C. Magno, Renata Benedicto Prandini, P. Nussenzveig, S. S. Vianna

Published May 8, 2001• 30 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present new results on the coherent control of a four-wave mixing signal in rubidium vapor involving Rydberg levels. By varying the relative polarizations of the laser beams responsible for the nonlinear process, we control atomic excitation routes and thus quantum interference in the medium. We observed interference fringes as a function of the relative polarizations and further developed a theoretical model based on the density-matrix formalism that is in very good agreement with our experimental results.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.63.063406

Related papers

Polarization dependence and interference in four-wave mixing with Rydberg levels in rubidium vapor

S. S. Vianna, P. Nussenzveig, Wictor C. Magno +1 more

We have observed an interference in four-wave mixing involving two Rydberg states that play the key role of near two-photon resonant intermediate levels. This interference, due to the coherence of the nonlinear process, can be explained either classically or quantum mechanically and it depends on the lasers' polarizations and detunings. We have performed calculations that are in very good agreement with the experimental data. Our results provide new information about the system, such as ionization rates of the Rydberg levels and the ratio of reduced matrix elements involved.

Physical Review A•Oct 1, 1998•15 citations

Quantum interference in atomic vapor observed by four-wave mixing with incoherent light

José Ferraz, D. Felinto, L. H. Acioli +1 more

Pairs of pulses from an incoherent source are used to investigate the time-resolved four-wave mixing response of atomic rubidium when a two-photon resonance is involved in the nonlinear process. By varying the relative polarization of the pulse pairs, we are able to select the quantum pathways and clearly distinguish optical and quantum interferences.

Optics Letters•Jul 15, 2005•5 citations

Two-photon resonant forward four-wave mixing in rubidium vapor involving Rydberg states

Natalia R. de Melo, S. S. Vianna

We report on observations of four-wave mixing in rubidium vapor via two-photon resonant excitation with nd and (n+2)s states, for n=14–20. The intensity of the generated beam is studied in a collinear configuration, and the results are consistent with the predictions of a theoretical model based on the semiclassical Maxwell–Bloch equations, considering interference effects associated with multiple excitation pathways and with internally generated fields. We have also observed spectral broadening of the two-photon resonant lines, which is well described by a linear dependence on atomic density, in accordance with collision-induced broadening.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Jun 27, 2014•18 citations

Four-wave mixing involving Rydberg states in thermal vapor

A. Kölle, G. Epple, Harald Kübler +2 more

We present experimental results on nondegenerate four-wave mixing in a thermal vapor cell of rubidium atoms via highly excited Rydberg states. We observe sub-Doppler spectral features and a large sensitivity of the mixed light mode to small electric fields due to the large polarizabilities of the involved Rydberg state. We observe a saturation of the optical response due to the nonlinear four-level physics. The strong interaction between Rydberg atoms and the associated Rydberg blockade could potentially increase the nonlinearity dramatically.

Physical Review A•Jun 21, 2012•58 citations

Interference and nonlinear properties of four-wave-mixing resonances in thermal vapor: Analytical results and experimental verification

Michal P. Parniak, Wojciech Wasilewski

We develop a model to calculate nonlinear polarization in a nondegenerate four-wave mixing in diamond configuration which includes the effects of hyperfine structure and Doppler broadening. We verify the model against the experiment with $5{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2},5{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{3/2},5{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{D}_{3/2}$, and $5{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{1/2}$ levels of rubidium 85. Treating the multilevel atomic system as a combination of many four-level systems we are able to express the nonlinear susceptibility of a thermal ensemble in a low-intensity regime in terms of Voigt-type profiles and obtain an excellent conformity of theory and experiment within this complex system. The agreement is also satisfactory at high intensity and the analytical model correctly predicts the positions and shapes of resonances. Our results elucidate the physics of coherent interaction of light with atoms involving higher excited levels in vapors at room temperature, which is used in an increasing range of applications.

arXiv:1412.7137•Physical Review A•Feb 17, 2015•34 citations

Intermixing between four-wave mixing and six-wave mixing in a four-level atomic system

Yanpeng Zhang, Andy W. Brown, Chenli Gan +1 more

We investigate the interplay between six-wave mixing (SWM) and four-wave mixing (FWM) resulting from atomic coherence and polarization beat in a four-level atomic system. The dressed FWM evolution and competition pathways can be controlled by the coupling field to exhibit two FWM and SWM turning points, FWM+SWM, and FWM+FWM interference regions. Quantum interference between two FWM or one FWM and one SWM channels leads to nonlinear signal enhancement and suppression under different conditions. The fifth-order nonlinear response can be obtained by the phase control of the polarization beat between the FWM and SWM signals.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Aug 15, 2007•10 citations
We present new results on the coherent control of a four-wave mixing signal in rubidium vapor involving Rydberg levels. By varying the relative polarizations of the laser beams responsible for the nonlinear process, we control atomic excitation routes and thus quantum interference in the medium. We observed interference fringes as a function of the relative polarizations and further developed a theoretical model based on the density-matrix formalism that is in very good agreement with our experimental results.
We have observed an interference in four-wave mixing involving two Rydberg states that play the key role of near two-photon resonant intermediate levels. This interference, due to the coherence of the nonlinear process, can be explained either classically or quantum mechanically and it depends on the lasers' polarizations and detunings. We have performed calculations that are in very good agreement with the experimental data. Our results provide new information about the system, such as ionization rates of the Rydberg levels and the ratio of reduced matrix elements involved.
We report on observations of four-wave mixing in rubidium vapor via two-photon resonant excitation with nd and (n+2)s states, for n=14–20. The intensity of the generated beam is studied in a collinear configuration, and the results are consistent with the predictions of a theoretical model based on the semiclassical Maxwell–Bloch equations, considering interference effects associated with multiple excitation pathways and with internally generated fields. We have also observed spectral broadening of the two-photon resonant lines, which is well described by a linear dependence on atomic density, in accordance with collision-induced broadening.
We present experimental results on nondegenerate four-wave mixing in a thermal vapor cell of rubidium atoms via highly excited Rydberg states. We observe sub-Doppler spectral features and a large sensitivity of the mixed light mode to small electric fields due to the large polarizabilities of the involved Rydberg state. We observe a saturation of the optical response due to the nonlinear four-level physics. The strong interaction between Rydberg atoms and the associated Rydberg blockade could potentially increase the nonlinearity dramatically.
We develop a model to calculate nonlinear polarization in a nondegenerate four-wave mixing in diamond configuration which includes the effects of hyperfine structure and Doppler broadening. We verify the model against the experiment with 52S1/2,52P3/2,52D3/25{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2},5{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{3/2},5{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{D}_{3/2}52S1/2​,52P3/2​,52D3/2​, and 52P1/25{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{1/2}52P1/2​ levels of rubidium 85. Treating the multilevel atomic system as a combination of many four-level systems we are able to express the nonlinear susceptibility of a thermal ensemble in a low-intensity regime in terms of Voigt-type profiles and obtain an excellent conformity of theory and experiment within this complex system. The agreement is also satisfactory at high intensity and the analytical model correctly predicts the positions and shapes of resonances. Our results elucidate the physics of coherent interaction of light with atoms involving higher excited levels in vapors at room temperature, which is used in an increasing range of applications.
We investigate the interplay between six-wave mixing (SWM) and four-wave mixing (FWM) resulting from atomic coherence and polarization beat in a four-level atomic system. The dressed FWM evolution and competition pathways can be controlled by the coupling field to exhibit two FWM and SWM turning points, FWM+SWM, and FWM+FWM interference regions. Quantum interference between two FWM or one FWM and one SWM channels leads to nonlinear signal enhancement and suppression under different conditions. The fifth-order nonlinear response can be obtained by the phase control of the polarization beat between the FWM and SWM signals.