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 Letters

Spatial Consequences of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency: Observation of Electromagnetically Induced Focusing

Richard R. Moseley, Sara Shepherd, David J. Fulton, Bruce Sinclair, Malcolm H. Dunn

Published Jan 30, 1995• 203 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Within an experiment to produce electromagnetically induced transparency the radial intensity profile of the strong coupling laser can generate a significant spatial refractive index profile which is experienced by the weak probe laser as it tunes through the transparency window. This can lead to focusing and defocusing at separate, but close, probe laser detunings. This behavior is observed using continuous-wave lasers in rubidium vapor, in agreement with our predictions.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.74.670

Related papers

Electromagnetically-induced focusing

Richard R. Moseley, Sara Shepherd, David J. Fulton +2 more

The theoretical basis for electromagnetically-induced focusing (EIF), which is caused by spatial variations in the coupling laser strength in an electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT) experiment, is studied in detail. Using a numerical model it is shown that radial changes in both absorption and refractive index are important in predicting the probe beam's propagation conditions. Detailed calculations of the focusing and defocusing during EIF under various conditions are presented and compared with appropriate experiments. Diffractionlike patterns are predicted for, and observed on, a probe beam after propagation through a smaller EIT aperture. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

Physical Review A•Jan 1, 1996•65 citations

Electromagnetically induced focusing in a Λ-type medium

Gong Shang-Qing, Zhizhan Xu, Pan Shao-hua

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in an inhomogenously broadened medium consisting of Λ-type three-level atoms has been analyzed. It is shown that the Λ system can induce a transparency of the medium when the probe laser and the coupling laser have the same frequency detunings (including zero). Across the EIT window, the radial variation of the strong coupling laser radiation may lead to electromagnetically induced focusing or defocusing of the weak probe laser at separate probe frequency detuning points.

Acta Physica Sinica (Overseas Edition)•Jan 1, 1997•2 citations

Lensing effect of electromagnetically induced transparency involving a Rydberg state

Jingshan Han, Thibault Vogt, Manukumara Manjappa +3 more

We study the lensing effect experienced by a weak probe field under conditions of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) involving a Rydberg state. A Gaussian coupling beam tightly focused on a laser-cooled atomic cloud produces an inhomogeneity in the coupling Rabi frequency along the transverse direction and makes the EIT area acting like a gradient-index medium. We image the probe beam at the position where it exits the atomic cloud and observe that a red-detuned probe light is strongly focused with a greatly enhanced intensity whereas a blue-detuned one is defocused with a reduced intensity. Our experimental results agree very well with the numerical solutions of Maxwell-Bloch equations.

arXiv:1511.02480•Physical Review A•Dec 14, 2015•18 citations

Electromagnetically induced transparency in rubidium

Abraham J. Olson, Shannon K. Mayer

We investigate ladder-type electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in rubidium gas. The theoretical absorption profile of a weak probe laser beam at 780.2nm (5S1∕2→5P3∕2) is modeled in the presence of a strong coupling laser beam at 776.0nm (5P3∕2→5D5∕2) and the absorption transparency window is characterized. We use two grating-feedback diode lasers and observe EIT experimentally in rubidium and compare the results to the theory. This experiment brings quantum optics into the advanced undergraduate laboratory and utilizes equipment and expertise commonly available in laboratories equipped to perform diode-laser-based absorption spectroscopy of rubidium.

American Journal of Physics•Jan 12, 2009•35 citations

Modulation transfer in an electromagnetically induced transparency system

Andy W. Brown, Min Xiao

Near the condition of electromagnetically induced transparency in a three-level system, the absorption experienced by the weak probe laser beam interacting with one transition is very sensitive to the frequency detuning of the strong-coupling laser beam coupled to another transition. When the frequency detuning of the coupling laser is modulated at different frequencies, the resulting change in probe absorption as a function of that modulation frequency can be described by a transfer function. The effects on the transfer function from various experimental parameters are calculated numerically. Experimental measurements are shown to be in good agreement with the predicted behavior.

Physical Review A•Nov 30, 2004•9 citations

Absorption imaging of electromagnetically induced transparency in cold sodium atoms

Masaharu Mitsunaga, Makoto Yamashita, Hironobu Inoue

Transmissivity of up to 200% has been observed in an absorption imaging study of electromagnetically induced transparency in cold sodium atoms, when a focused coupling beam is applied near the edge of the atom cloud. The signal behavior strongly depends on the frequency difference between the probe beam and the coupling beam. Such high transmissivity can be attributed to the strong focusing effect of the probe beam, when it propagates in a medium with spatially inhomogeneous refractive index induced by the coupling beam. A detailed numerical analysis based upon the Maxwell propagation equations is presented.

Physical Review A•Jun 16, 2000•27 citations
Within an experiment to produce electromagnetically induced transparency the radial intensity profile of the strong coupling laser can generate a significant spatial refractive index profile which is experienced by the weak probe laser as it tunes through the transparency window. This can lead to focusing and defocusing at separate, but close, probe laser detunings. This behavior is observed using continuous-wave lasers in rubidium vapor, in agreement with our predictions.
The theoretical basis for electromagnetically-induced focusing (EIF), which is caused by spatial variations in the coupling laser strength in an electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT) experiment, is studied in detail. Using a numerical model it is shown that radial changes in both absorption and refractive index are important in predicting the probe beam's propagation conditions. Detailed calculations of the focusing and defocusing during EIF under various conditions are presented and compared with appropriate experiments. Diffractionlike patterns are predicted for, and observed on, a probe beam after propagation through a smaller EIT aperture. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in an inhomogenously broadened medium consisting of Λ-type three-level atoms has been analyzed. It is shown that the Λ system can induce a transparency of the medium when the probe laser and the coupling laser have the same frequency detunings (including zero). Across the EIT window, the radial variation of the strong coupling laser radiation may lead to electromagnetically induced focusing or defocusing of the weak probe laser at separate probe frequency detuning points.
We study the lensing effect experienced by a weak probe field under conditions of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) involving a Rydberg state. A Gaussian coupling beam tightly focused on a laser-cooled atomic cloud produces an inhomogeneity in the coupling Rabi frequency along the transverse direction and makes the EIT area acting like a gradient-index medium. We image the probe beam at the position where it exits the atomic cloud and observe that a red-detuned probe light is strongly focused with a greatly enhanced intensity whereas a blue-detuned one is defocused with a reduced intensity. Our experimental results agree very well with the numerical solutions of Maxwell-Bloch equations.
We investigate ladder-type electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in rubidium gas. The theoretical absorption profile of a weak probe laser beam at 780.2nm (5S1∕2→5P3∕2) is modeled in the presence of a strong coupling laser beam at 776.0nm (5P3∕2→5D5∕2) and the absorption transparency window is characterized. We use two grating-feedback diode lasers and observe EIT experimentally in rubidium and compare the results to the theory. This experiment brings quantum optics into the advanced undergraduate laboratory and utilizes equipment and expertise commonly available in laboratories equipped to perform diode-laser-based absorption spectroscopy of rubidium.
Near the condition of electromagnetically induced transparency in a three-level system, the absorption experienced by the weak probe laser beam interacting with one transition is very sensitive to the frequency detuning of the strong-coupling laser beam coupled to another transition. When the frequency detuning of the coupling laser is modulated at different frequencies, the resulting change in probe absorption as a function of that modulation frequency can be described by a transfer function. The effects on the transfer function from various experimental parameters are calculated numerically. Experimental measurements are shown to be in good agreement with the predicted behavior.
Transmissivity of up to 200% has been observed in an absorption imaging study of electromagnetically induced transparency in cold sodium atoms, when a focused coupling beam is applied near the edge of the atom cloud. The signal behavior strongly depends on the frequency difference between the probe beam and the coupling beam. Such high transmissivity can be attributed to the strong focusing effect of the probe beam, when it propagates in a medium with spatially inhomogeneous refractive index induced by the coupling beam. A detailed numerical analysis based upon the Maxwell propagation equations is presented.