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 Mathematical Physics

Nonlinear Light Propagation in a Resonant Medium and Causality

R. C. T. da Costa

Published Sep 1, 1970• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The propagation of an optical pulse through a system of two-level atoms embedded in a host medium of constant refractive index n is considered. It is shown that the values of the solutions of the nonlinear system of coupled Maxwell and Schrödinger equations at time t at a point z, in the McCall-Hahn approximation, depend only on data contained in the interval [z - c/nt, z] at t = 0. Thus, information cannot be transmitted through this medium with velocity greater than c/n. Apparent violations of this property in the case of self-induced transparency are explained.

DOI
10.1063/1.1665449

Related papers

Self-induced transparency in the presence of the Kerr nonlinearity

R. Michalska-Trautman

The self-induced transparency solution of the Bloch-Maxwell equations is found in the case of inhomogeneously broadened resonant atomic lines and a host medium with a Kerr-type nonlinearity in the index of refraction. The characteristic feature of the solution is that the atomic functions are not factorized. The time dependence of the pulse phase is different from that in the case of a sharp atomic line. In addition to the known term quadratic in the pulse envelope, it contains a term increasing in time, attaining a maximum at the trailing edge of the pulse, and rapidly decreasing afterwards. The average carrier frequency is proportional to the square of the spectral width of the atomic line divided by the squared width of the pulse. A satisfactory solution is found by modulation of the center of the Lorentz distribution function of the purely resonant solutions. It is shown that in the presence of the inhomogeneous broadening the problem cannot be solved by a linear perturbation expansion with respect to the Kerr constant. This method leads to divergencies near the trailing edge of the pulse.

Physical Review A•May 1, 1978•6 citations

Two-photon self-induced transparency in a resonant medium. I. Analytical treatment

N Tan-no, Kenichi Yokoto, Humio Inaba

The authors develop a theoretical analysis which describes coherent nonlinear resonant effects where two optical pulses of different frequencies undergo two-photon self-induced transparency (two-photon SIT) in an inhomogeneously broadened three-level system. The field (Maxwell) and atomic (Schrodinger; density matrix representation) equations are coupled in a self-consistent manner by virtue of the resultant macroscopic polarizations at the two frequencies. This treatment is accomplished under circumstances where atomic coherence plays a predominant role. The resulting equations yield a new two-photon area theorem which gives first the intensity dependent, two-photon absorption law analogous to Beer's law for the one-photon transition. Secondly, a 2 pi Lorentzian pulse solution is derived which propagates without loss at the modified pulse velocity.

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics•Feb 21, 1975•23 citations

Self-induced transparency in a dispersive and nonlinear Kerr host medium

Tsun-Yee Wang, Sien Chi

A steady-state solution that describes pulse propagation in inhomogeneously broadening two-level atoms embedded in a dispersive and nonlinear Kerr lossless host medium has been found. The solution is of an unchirped hyperbolic-secant form with a linear spatial phase delay. The features of the solution are (i) the group velocity, the amplitude, and the width of the pulse are uniquely determined for given parameters of the medium and the carrier frequency; (ii) the group velocity is independent of the density of the resonant atoms; and (iii) the solution can exist in the positive dispersion region.

Optics Letters•Oct 15, 1991•10 citations

Self-induced transparency in self-chirped media

Carlos R. Stroud, C. M. Bowden, L. Allen

Resonant absorbing media having many atoms within a cubic resonance wavelength can exhibit large frequency chirps in pulse propagation due to dipole-dipole interactions among the atoms. Analytic solutions are obtained for invariant pulse propagation in such a medium consisting of interacting two-level atoms. Departures from the McCall-Hahn results include nonhyperbolic secant pulse shapes and different than 2π-area pulses. In addition, the excitation of the medium is comparatively suppressed for the same group velocity. The results are interpreted to suggest new experiments.

Optics Communications•Aug 1, 1988•51 citations

Pulse Propagation Through a medium Consists of Two Three-Level Atoms

R. N. Rabea, M. A. El-Deberky, M. M. A. Ahmed

The coherent propagation of two optical short pulses through a resonant medium consisting of two three-level atoms in the configuration is investigated. A self-consisting analytical solution without steady state or adiabatic approximations is presented. The electric field in the model studied consists of two co-propagating plane waves, each of which is in near resonance with a transition in the absorber. The density matrix of two three level atoms is studied. Also, the reduced density matrices are stated. The present approach for the semiclassical treatment of resonant coherent interactions in three-level atoms represents a generalization of the Maxwell- Bloch equations for a two-level system. The Maxwell-Bloch equations reduced to the non-linear pendulum equation. The solution shows that the two pulses can propagate simultaneously without loss under some conditions about the pulses and the medium. The propagation of the two pulses through the medium without any constrains approves the self -induced transparency (SIT) phenomenon.

Al-Azhar Bulletin of Science•Nov 29, 2021•0 citations

Coherent effects in the propagation of ultrashort light pulses in resonant media. Part I (review)

I A Poluéktov, Yurii M Popov, V S Roĭtberg

A review is given of the investigations of the coherent interaction of light pulses with resonantly absorbing two-level media. An analysis is made of the self-induced transparency discovered by McCall and Hahn and of its importance in quantum electronics. Bleached states associated with the phase modulation are considered in detail. A comparison is made with the theory of nonlinear waves of different physical origin. A review is given of some possible physical applications associated with the discriminatory nature of the transmission and delay of light in the self-induced transparency effect.

Soviet Journal of Quantum Electronics•Apr 30, 1974•3 citations
The propagation of an optical pulse through a system of two-level atoms embedded in a host medium of constant refractive index n is considered. It is shown that the values of the solutions of the nonlinear system of coupled Maxwell and Schrödinger equations at time t at a point z, in the McCall-Hahn approximation, depend only on data contained in the interval [z - c/nt, z] at t = 0. Thus, information cannot be transmitted through this medium with velocity greater than c/n. Apparent violations of this property in the case of self-induced transparency are explained.
The self-induced transparency solution of the Bloch-Maxwell equations is found in the case of inhomogeneously broadened resonant atomic lines and a host medium with a Kerr-type nonlinearity in the index of refraction. The characteristic feature of the solution is that the atomic functions are not factorized. The time dependence of the pulse phase is different from that in the case of a sharp atomic line. In addition to the known term quadratic in the pulse envelope, it contains a term increasing in time, attaining a maximum at the trailing edge of the pulse, and rapidly decreasing afterwards. The average carrier frequency is proportional to the square of the spectral width of the atomic line divided by the squared width of the pulse. A satisfactory solution is found by modulation of the center of the Lorentz distribution function of the purely resonant solutions. It is shown that in the presence of the inhomogeneous broadening the problem cannot be solved by a linear perturbation expansion with respect to the Kerr constant. This method leads to divergencies near the trailing edge of the pulse.
The authors develop a theoretical analysis which describes coherent nonlinear resonant effects where two optical pulses of different frequencies undergo two-photon self-induced transparency (two-photon SIT) in an inhomogeneously broadened three-level system. The field (Maxwell) and atomic (Schrodinger; density matrix representation) equations are coupled in a self-consistent manner by virtue of the resultant macroscopic polarizations at the two frequencies. This treatment is accomplished under circumstances where atomic coherence plays a predominant role. The resulting equations yield a new two-photon area theorem which gives first the intensity dependent, two-photon absorption law analogous to Beer's law for the one-photon transition. Secondly, a 2 pi Lorentzian pulse solution is derived which propagates without loss at the modified pulse velocity.
A steady-state solution that describes pulse propagation in inhomogeneously broadening two-level atoms embedded in a dispersive and nonlinear Kerr lossless host medium has been found. The solution is of an unchirped hyperbolic-secant form with a linear spatial phase delay. The features of the solution are (i) the group velocity, the amplitude, and the width of the pulse are uniquely determined for given parameters of the medium and the carrier frequency; (ii) the group velocity is independent of the density of the resonant atoms; and (iii) the solution can exist in the positive dispersion region.
Resonant absorbing media having many atoms within a cubic resonance wavelength can exhibit large frequency chirps in pulse propagation due to dipole-dipole interactions among the atoms. Analytic solutions are obtained for invariant pulse propagation in such a medium consisting of interacting two-level atoms. Departures from the McCall-Hahn results include nonhyperbolic secant pulse shapes and different than 2π-area pulses. In addition, the excitation of the medium is comparatively suppressed for the same group velocity. The results are interpreted to suggest new experiments.
The coherent propagation of two optical short pulses through a resonant medium consisting of two three-level atoms in the configuration is investigated. A self-consisting analytical solution without steady state or adiabatic approximations is presented. The electric field in the model studied consists of two co-propagating plane waves, each of which is in near resonance with a transition in the absorber. The density matrix of two three level atoms is studied. Also, the reduced density matrices are stated. The present approach for the semiclassical treatment of resonant coherent interactions in three-level atoms represents a generalization of the Maxwell- Bloch equations for a two-level system. The Maxwell-Bloch equations reduced to the non-linear pendulum equation. The solution shows that the two pulses can propagate simultaneously without loss under some conditions about the pulses and the medium. The propagation of the two pulses through the medium without any constrains approves the self -induced transparency (SIT) phenomenon.
A review is given of the investigations of the coherent interaction of light pulses with resonantly absorbing two-level media. An analysis is made of the self-induced transparency discovered by McCall and Hahn and of its importance in quantum electronics. Bleached states associated with the phase modulation are considered in detail. A comparison is made with the theory of nonlinear waves of different physical origin. A review is given of some possible physical applications associated with the discriminatory nature of the transmission and delay of light in the self-induced transparency effect.