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

Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Nonlinear excitation by quantum interference in a Doppler-broadened rubidium atomic system

Neil Mulchan, D. G. Ducreay, Rodolfo Pina, Min Yan, Yifu Zhu

Published May 1, 2000• 43 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We analyze nonlinear excitation in a four-level atomic system that exhibits electromagnetically induced transparency induced by a strong coupling laser. We show that, at the line center of the atomic transition, the nondegenerate two-photon excitation in the dressed states can be enhanced by constructive quantum interference in two excitation paths while the linear absorption is inhibited by destructive quantum interference. We report an experimental study of the interference-enhanced two-photon absorption in a multilevel Λ-type rubidium atomic system and compare the measurements with the theoretical calculations.

DOI
10.1364/josab.17.000820

Related papers

Nonlinear absorption by quantum interference in cold atoms

Min Yan, Edward G. Rickey, Yifu Zhu

We report an experimental observation of third-order nonlinear absorption by quantum interference in (87)Rb atoms cooled and confined in a magneto-optic trap. A coupling laser creates electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a multilevel Rb system in which the third-order nonlinear absorption is enhanced by constructive quantum interference while the linear absorption is inhibited by destructive interference. Our experiment demonstrates the EIT system proposed by Harris and Yamamoto [Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 3611 (1998)], which absorbs two photons but not one photon in the dressed-state picture.

Optics Letters•Apr 15, 2001•68 citations

Coherence and interference enhanced nonlinearities in a four-level system

Jen‐Hao Cheng, Min Yan, Edward G. Rickey +1 more

Summary form only given. Nonlinear optical properties of an atomic medium can be modified by coherence and quantum interference that utilizes electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Because of the vanishing linear absorption and large enhancement of nonlinearities in an EIT medium, nonlinear optics may be studied at low light levels. We report studies of light absorption and parametric amplification based on the EIT enhanced third-order nonlinearity in a four-level atomic system. We have observed the enhanced nonlinear absorption when two coupling lasers and one probe laser are present. We are in the process of preparing the experiments for the double EIT demonstration and observation of the efficient parametric amplification in the four-level system. Because the experimental system is essentially free of Doppler broadening, quantitative comparisons between the experimental measurements and the theoretical calculations can readily be achieved.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•Jun 25, 2003•0 citations

Electromagnetically induced absorption and transparency in a ladder-type atomic system with different dressing mechanisms

Hao-Wei Ti, X. Q Yan, H P Liu +6 more

In a Doppler-broadened ladder-type Rubidium atomic system [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text], three-photon electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) and transparency (EIT) in two schemes of two coupling lasers with different propagation directions are comprehensively studied. Two coupling fields are entangled tightly with each other and induce constructive interference such that we observe EIA as two coupling fields are counter-propagating. Two coupling fields are independent and cause destructive interference such that only enhanced EIT occurs when two coupling fields are co-propagating, although all of the Doppler-broadened atoms satisfy the condition for three-photon resonance. The experimental results are coincided with the numerically calculated spectra using the dressed perturbation method. The mechanisms of EIT and EIA could also be understood by the dressed-state pictures.

International Journal of Modern Physics B•Mar 2, 2024•2 citations

Suppression of two-photon absorption by quantum interference

Min Yan, Edward G. Rickey, Yifu Zhu

Electromagnetically induced transparency may lead to suppression of two-photon absorption in a four-level atomic system. This phenomenon is manifested by destructive quantum interference among multiple excitation paths created by a coherent coupling field. We report an experimental observation of such suppression of two-photon absorption in cold ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms.

Physical Review A•Sep 1, 2001•85 citations

Constructive interference: electromagnetically induced absorption

Li Wang, Xiangming Hu, 华中师范大学物理系,武汉 430079

In this paper we reveal that the constructive interference of atomic coherence on absorption leads to electromagnetically induced absorption,which is in sharp contrast to the case in which destructive interference of atomic coherence gives rise to electromagnetically induced transparency. A four-level atomic system is employed in which three transitions are in N configuration and the middle transition is used as a probe transition. In the dressed states representation the probe transition is split into four transitions that are coupled to each other. The coupling originates from the spontaneous emission of the atomic medium and the spontaneous transfer from excited state coherence to ground state coherence. The former leads to couplings between all transitions with the same sign and to the absorption reduction. The latter results in couplings,of which t wo terms have positive sign and another two have negative sign. It is due to the couplings with positive and negative signs that significant modification of the contribution of dressed coherence to absorption occurs,i.e., absorption inhibition is changed to absorption enhancement.

Acta Physica Sinica•Jan 1, 2004•23 citations

Observations of absorptive photon switching and suppression of two-photon absorption in cold atoms

Min Yan, Edward G. Rickey, Yifu Zhu

Atomic coherence and interference in an atomic medium exhibiting electromagnetically induced transparency may lead to enhancement or suppression of nonlinear susceptibilities. Absorptive photon switching has been observed by constructive quantum interference, which is based on the enhanced third-order, nonlinear absorption in a four-level system. In a different four-level system, suppression of the two-photon absorption by destructive quantum interference has been observed. Experiments were carried out on 87Rb atoms cooled and confined in a magneto-optical trap and the experimental results agree with theoretical calculations of simple four-level model systems.

Journal of Modern Optics•Mar 1, 2002•7 citations
We analyze nonlinear excitation in a four-level atomic system that exhibits electromagnetically induced transparency induced by a strong coupling laser. We show that, at the line center of the atomic transition, the nondegenerate two-photon excitation in the dressed states can be enhanced by constructive quantum interference in two excitation paths while the linear absorption is inhibited by destructive quantum interference. We report an experimental study of the interference-enhanced two-photon absorption in a multilevel Λ-type rubidium atomic system and compare the measurements with the theoretical calculations.
We report an experimental observation of third-order nonlinear absorption by quantum interference in (87)Rb atoms cooled and confined in a magneto-optic trap. A coupling laser creates electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a multilevel Rb system in which the third-order nonlinear absorption is enhanced by constructive quantum interference while the linear absorption is inhibited by destructive interference. Our experiment demonstrates the EIT system proposed by Harris and Yamamoto [Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 3611 (1998)], which absorbs two photons but not one photon in the dressed-state picture.
Summary form only given. Nonlinear optical properties of an atomic medium can be modified by coherence and quantum interference that utilizes electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Because of the vanishing linear absorption and large enhancement of nonlinearities in an EIT medium, nonlinear optics may be studied at low light levels. We report studies of light absorption and parametric amplification based on the EIT enhanced third-order nonlinearity in a four-level atomic system. We have observed the enhanced nonlinear absorption when two coupling lasers and one probe laser are present. We are in the process of preparing the experiments for the double EIT demonstration and observation of the efficient parametric amplification in the four-level system. Because the experimental system is essentially free of Doppler broadening, quantitative comparisons between the experimental measurements and the theoretical calculations can readily be achieved.
In a Doppler-broadened ladder-type Rubidium atomic system [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text], three-photon electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) and transparency (EIT) in two schemes of two coupling lasers with different propagation directions are comprehensively studied. Two coupling fields are entangled tightly with each other and induce constructive interference such that we observe EIA as two coupling fields are counter-propagating. Two coupling fields are independent and cause destructive interference such that only enhanced EIT occurs when two coupling fields are co-propagating, although all of the Doppler-broadened atoms satisfy the condition for three-photon resonance. The experimental results are coincided with the numerically calculated spectra using the dressed perturbation method. The mechanisms of EIT and EIA could also be understood by the dressed-state pictures.
Electromagnetically induced transparency may lead to suppression of two-photon absorption in a four-level atomic system. This phenomenon is manifested by destructive quantum interference among multiple excitation paths created by a coherent coupling field. We report an experimental observation of such suppression of two-photon absorption in cold 87Rb{}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb atoms.
In this paper we reveal that the constructive interference of atomic coherence on absorption leads to electromagnetically induced absorption,which is in sharp contrast to the case in which destructive interference of atomic coherence gives rise to electromagnetically induced transparency. A four-level atomic system is employed in which three transitions are in N configuration and the middle transition is used as a probe transition. In the dressed states representation the probe transition is split into four transitions that are coupled to each other. The coupling originates from the spontaneous emission of the atomic medium and the spontaneous transfer from excited state coherence to ground state coherence. The former leads to couplings between all transitions with the same sign and to the absorption reduction. The latter results in couplings,of which t wo terms have positive sign and another two have negative sign. It is due to the couplings with positive and negative signs that significant modification of the contribution of dressed coherence to absorption occurs,i.e., absorption inhibition is changed to absorption enhancement.
Atomic coherence and interference in an atomic medium exhibiting electromagnetically induced transparency may lead to enhancement or suppression of nonlinear susceptibilities. Absorptive photon switching has been observed by constructive quantum interference, which is based on the enhanced third-order, nonlinear absorption in a four-level system. In a different four-level system, suppression of the two-photon absorption by destructive quantum interference has been observed. Experiments were carried out on 87Rb atoms cooled and confined in a magneto-optical trap and the experimental results agree with theoretical calculations of simple four-level model systems.