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

Enhanced transmission for ultra-low-power nonlinear optics experiments using tapered optical fibers in Rubidium vapor

T. B. Pittman, Meimei Lai, J. D. Franson

Published Jan 1, 2013• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We have studied transmission degradation for sub-wavelength diameter Tapered Optical Fibers in Rubidium vapor. A heating strategy is shown to reduce degradation, thereby enhancing the ability to perform ultra-low-power nonlinear optics experiments.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_qels.2013.qth1e.5

Related papers

Experiments using sub-wavelength diameter tapered optical fibers in Rubidium vapor

Meimei Lai

In this work, we describe experimental research on a relatively new nonlinear optics system comprised of a sub-wavelength diameter Tapered Optical Fiber (TOF) suspended in atomic Rubidium (Rb) vapor. The compression of the evanescent optical mode propagating along the TOF enables a dramatic increase in the nonlinear interactions between the fields and the surrounding Rb atoms, thereby allowing the observation of a variety of nonlinear optical effects with very low-power fields. Specifically, we report on the observation of saturated absorption with nW power levels and, more significantly, the observation of two-photon absorption using power-levels corresponding to only 10's to 100's of photons interacting with the Rb atoms at a given time. One significant drawback to this TOF in Rb system is that at the relatively high atomic densities needed for many of these experiments, Rb atoms accumulating on the TOF surface can cause a significant loss of overall transmission through the fiber. Here we report direct measurements of the time-scale associated with this transmission degradation for various Rb density conditions. We find that transmission is affected almost immediately after the introduction of Rb vapor into the system, and declines rapidly as the density is increased. More significantly, we show how a heating element designed to raise the TOF temperature can be used to reduce this transmission loss and dramatically extend the effective TOF transmission lifetime. Our results indicate that it is possible to achieve relatively high TOF transmission, even in the presence of the relatively high Rb vapor densities that would be needed for many low-power nonlinear optics applications. This study represents a significant step in moving the basic TOF in Rb system from a laboratory setting towards a practical ultra-low-power nonlinear optics device.

•Jan 1, 2013•0 citations

Transmission degradation and preservation for tapered optical fibers in rubidium vapor

Meimei Lai, J. D. Franson, T. B. Pittman

The use of subwavelength diameter tapered optical fibers (TOFs) in warm rubidium vapor has recently been identified as a promising system for realizing ultralow-power nonlinear optical effects. However, at the relatively high atomic densities needed for many of these experiments, rubidium atoms accumulating on the TOF surface can cause a significant loss of overall transmission through the fiber. Here we report direct measurements of the time scale associated with this transmission degradation for various rubidium density conditions. Transmission is affected almost immediately after the introduction of rubidium vapor into the system, and declines rapidly as the density is increased. More significantly, we show how a heating element designed to raise the TOF temperature can be used to reduce this transmission loss and dramatically extend the effective TOF transmission lifetime.

arXiv:1212.5189•Applied Optics•Apr 11, 2013•24 citations

Nonlinear transmission through a tapered fiber in rubidium vapor

S. M. Hendrickson, T. B. Pittman, J. D. Franson

Subwavelength-diameter tapered optical fibers surrounded by rubidium vapor can undergo a substantial decrease in transmission at high atomic densities due to the accumulation of rubidium atoms on the surface of the fiber. Here we demonstrate the ability to control these changes in transmission using light guided within the taper. We observe transmission through a tapered fiber that is a nonlinear function of the incident power. This effect can also allow a strong control beam to change the transmission of a weak probe beam.

arXiv:0808.3932•Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Jan 21, 2009•20 citations

Observation of two-photon absorption at low power levels using tapered optical fibers and rubidium vapor

S. M. Hendrickson, Meimei Lai, T. B. Pittman +1 more

Nonlinear optical effects can be enhanced in tapered fibers with sub-wavelength diameters. Here we report on the observation of two-photon absorption using tapered fibers in rubidium vapor at power levels of less than 150 nW.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2010•14 citations

Optical Nonlinearities Using Tapered Optical Fibers in Rubidium Vapor

Daniel E. Jones, J. D. Franson, T. B. Pittman

Sub-wavelength diameter tapered optical fibers suspended in rubidium vapor can allow ultralow-power nonlinearities that may have applications in photonic quantum information processing. Here we experimentally investigate saturation of the relevant atomic transitions with ultralow-power fields.

•Jan 1, 2014•0 citations

Low Light-Level Two-Photon Absorption using Tapered Optical Fibers in Rubidium Vapor

Meimei Lai, S. M. Hendrickson, T. B. Pittman +1 more

We describe an experimental observation of two-photon absorption with ultralow power levels of less than 150 nanoWatts. The experiment involves the use of sub-wavelength diameter tapered optical fibers suspended in rubidium vapor.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2011•0 citations
In this work, we describe experimental research on a relatively new nonlinear optics system comprised of a sub-wavelength diameter Tapered Optical Fiber (TOF) suspended in atomic Rubidium (Rb) vapor. The compression of the evanescent optical mode propagating along the TOF enables a dramatic increase in the nonlinear interactions between the fields and the surrounding Rb atoms, thereby allowing the observation of a variety of nonlinear optical effects with very low-power fields. Specifically, we report on the observation of saturated absorption with nW power levels and, more significantly, the observation of two-photon absorption using power-levels corresponding to only 10's to 100's of photons interacting with the Rb atoms at a given time. One significant drawback to this TOF in Rb system is that at the relatively high atomic densities needed for many of these experiments, Rb atoms accumulating on the TOF surface can cause a significant loss of overall transmission through the fiber. Here we report direct measurements of the time-scale associated with this transmission degradation for various Rb density conditions. We find that transmission is affected almost immediately after the introduction of Rb vapor into the system, and declines rapidly as the density is increased. More significantly, we show how a heating element designed to raise the TOF temperature can be used to reduce this transmission loss and dramatically extend the effective TOF transmission lifetime. Our results indicate that it is possible to achieve relatively high TOF transmission, even in the presence of the relatively high Rb vapor densities that would be needed for many low-power nonlinear optics applications. This study represents a significant step in moving the basic TOF in Rb system from a laboratory setting towards a practical ultra-low-power nonlinear optics device.
The use of subwavelength diameter tapered optical fibers (TOFs) in warm rubidium vapor has recently been identified as a promising system for realizing ultralow-power nonlinear optical effects. However, at the relatively high atomic densities needed for many of these experiments, rubidium atoms accumulating on the TOF surface can cause a significant loss of overall transmission through the fiber. Here we report direct measurements of the time scale associated with this transmission degradation for various rubidium density conditions. Transmission is affected almost immediately after the introduction of rubidium vapor into the system, and declines rapidly as the density is increased. More significantly, we show how a heating element designed to raise the TOF temperature can be used to reduce this transmission loss and dramatically extend the effective TOF transmission lifetime.
Subwavelength-diameter tapered optical fibers surrounded by rubidium vapor can undergo a substantial decrease in transmission at high atomic densities due to the accumulation of rubidium atoms on the surface of the fiber. Here we demonstrate the ability to control these changes in transmission using light guided within the taper. We observe transmission through a tapered fiber that is a nonlinear function of the incident power. This effect can also allow a strong control beam to change the transmission of a weak probe beam.