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Physical Review A

Ultrafast pulse interactions with two-level atoms

Richard W. Ziolkowski, John M. Arnold, Daniel Marc Gogny

Published Oct 1, 1995• 346 citations
Publisher

Abstract

An iterative predictor-corrector finite-difference time-domain method is used to solve the semiclassical Maxwell-Bloch system numerically without invoking any of the standard approximations such as the rotating-wave approximation. This approach permits a more exact study of self-induced transparency effects in a two-level atom. In addition to recovering the standard results, for instance, for \ensuremath{\pi}, 2\ensuremath{\pi}, and 4\ensuremath{\pi} pulses, several features in the results appear at the zeros of the driving pulse, where its time derivatives are maximum. Several ultrafast-pulse examples demonstrate that time-derivative-driven nonlinearities have a significant impact on the time evolution of a two-level atom system. Moreover, typical small-signal gain results are also obtained with our Maxwell-Bloch simulator. We illustrate that these time-derivative effects can be used to design an ultrafast, single-cycle pump pulse that completely inverts the two-level atom population. A pump-probe signal set is then used to illustrate gain in the probe signal.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.52.3082

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An iterative predictor-corrector finite-difference time-domain method is used to solve the semiclassical Maxwell-Bloch system numerically without invoking any of the standard approximations such as the rotating-wave approximation. This approach permits a more exact study of self-induced transparency effects in a two-level atom. In addition to recovering the standard results, for instance, for \ensuremath{\pi}, 2\ensuremath{\pi}, and 4\ensuremath{\pi} pulses, several features in the results appear at the zeros of the driving pulse, where its time derivatives are maximum. Several ultrafast-pulse examples demonstrate that time-derivative-driven nonlinearities have a significant impact on the time evolution of a two-level atom system. Moreover, typical small-signal gain results are also obtained with our Maxwell-Bloch simulator. We illustrate that these time-derivative effects can be used to design an ultrafast, single-cycle pump pulse that completely inverts the two-level atom population. A pump-probe signal set is then used to illustrate gain in the probe signal.
We extend to more than one spatial dimension the semiclassical full-wave vector Maxwell-Bloch equations for the purpose of achieving an adequate and rigorous description of ultrashort pulse propagation in optical waveguides containing resonant nonlinearities. Our considerations are based on the generalized pseudospin formalism introduced by Hioe and Eberly [Phys. Rev. Lett. 47, 838 (1981)] for treatment of the resonant coherent interactions of ultrashort light pulses with discrete-multilevel systems. A self-consistent set of coupled curl Maxwell-pseudospin equations in two spatial dimensions and time for the special case of a degenerate three-level system of quantum absorbers is originally derived. Maxwell's curl equations are considered to be coupled via macroscopic medium polarization to the three-level atom model for the resonant medium. Two distinct sets of pseudospin equations are obtained corresponding to the TE- and TM-polarized optical waves. For the case of TM polarization, the electromagnetic wave is polarized in a general direction in the plane of incidence inducing two dipole transitions in a degenerate three-level system by each E-field component along the propagation axis and in transverse direction. We introduce a dipole-coupling interaction Hamiltonian allowing Rabi flopping of the population difference along and perpendicular to the propagation axis with frequencies depending on the corresponding field components. The relationship between the induced polarization and the state vector components that describe the evolution of the discrete-level system is derived in order to couple the quantum system equations to the Maxwell's curl equations. The pseudospin equations are phenomenologically extended to include relaxation effects by introducing nonuniform decay times corresponding to the various dipole transitions occurring in a three-level system. The system has been discretized using finite differences on a Yee grid and solved numerically by an iterative predictor-corrector finite-difference time-domain method. Self-induced transparency soliton propagation through a degenerate three-level quantum system of absorbers in two spatial dimensions and time is demonstrated in planar parallel-mirror waveguide geometries.
We propose and develop a method for theoretical description of circularly (elliptically) polarized optical pulse resonant coherent interactions with two-level atoms. The method is based on the time-evolution equations of a two-level quantum system in the presence of a time-dependent dipole perturbation for electric dipole transitions between states with total angular-momentum projection difference $(\ensuremath{\Delta}{J}_{z}=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1)$ excited by a circularly polarized electromagnetic field [Feynman et al., J. Appl. Phys. 28, 49 (1957)]. The adopted real-vector representation approach allows for coupling with the vectorial Maxwell's equations for the optical wave propagation and thus the resulting Maxwell pseudospin equations can be numerically solved in the time domain without any approximations. The model permits a more exact study of the ultrafast coherent pulse propagation effects taking into account the vector nature of the electromagnetic field and hence the polarization state of the optical excitation. We demonstrate self-induced transparency effects and formation of polarized solitons. The model represents a qualitative extension of the well-known optical Maxwell-Bloch equations valid for linearly polarized light and a tool for studying coherent quantum control mechanisms.
Recent progress in ultrafast technology has led to the generation of optical pulses as short as 8 fs. The propagation of such short pulses in nonlinear optical media requires new computational techniques in which the standard approximations such as the slowly-varying envelope approximation (SVEA) and rotating-wave approximation (RWA) are not made while using the Maxwell-Bloch equations [1]. Previous calculations, which used the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, found that for a a Kerr-like instantaneous nonlinearity [2] significant differences can occur when the full vector Maxwell equations are used instead of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation. Recently, the FDTD method has been extended to the case of a homogeneously broadened two-level atomic system [3].
The spectrum evolution of a few-cycle optical pulse in a resonant two-level atom medium is studied theoretically by using the full Maxwell-Bloch equations. On the propagating pulse, significantly much faster oscillation components separated with the main pulse appear due to strong self-phase modulation and pulse reshaping. In this case, ideal self-induced transparency cannot occur for a 2 pi pulse. The spectrum of the 4 pi pulse shows an evident oscillatory feature because of the continuum interference of the separate pulses. For larger pulse areas, continuum generation from near ultraviolet to infrared occurs.
The spectrum evolution of a few-cycle optical pulse in a resonant two-level atom medium is studied theoretically by using the full Maxwell-Bloch equations. On the propagating pulse, significantly much faster oscillation components separated with the main pulse appear due to strong self-phase modulation and pulse reshaping. In this case, ideal self-induced transparency cannot occur for a 2π pulse. The spectrum of the 4π pulse shows an evident oscillatory feature because of the continuum interference of the separate pulses. For larger pulse areas, continuum generation from near ultraviolet to infrared occurs.
An effective two-level Maxwell-Bloch formalism is developed to describe various time-dependent phenomena in a three-level V-type system. The Maxwell-Bloch equations govern the temporal evolution of a probe field while a strong driving field is applied on the adjacent transition. The main assumption adopted throughout the paper is that the spontaneous decay rate on the coherently driven transition exceeds the decay rate on the probe transition as well as inverse time variations of both pulses. It is shown that the probe pulse interacts with such a medium in a manner similar to that in a self-induced transparency. An amplification without inversion of a relatively short probe pulse while propagating through an optically thick atomic medium is analyzed.