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Physical Review Letters

Enhanced Kerr Nonlinearity via Atomic Coherence in a Three-Level Atomic System

Hai Wang, David J. Goorskey, Min Xiao

Published Jul 26, 2001• 497 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We measure the Kerr-nonlinear index of refraction of a three-level Lambda-type atomic system inside an optical ring cavity. The Kerr nonlinearity is modified and greatly enhanced near atomic resonant conditions for both probe and coupling beams. The Kerr nonlinear coefficient n(2) changes sign when the coupling beam frequency detuning switches sign, which can lead to interesting applications in optical devices such as all-optical switches.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.87.073601

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The self-Kerr-nonlinearity of a four-level N\mathsf{N}N-type atomic system is studied both experimentally and theoretically. The self-Kerr-nonlinear coefficient n2{n}_{2}n2​ of the probe beam is greatly enhanced near atomic resonance, and can be dramatically modified by changing the switching laser power. With an increasing switching laser power, the slope of the Kerr nonlinear coefficient n2{n}_{2}n2​ around the atomic resonance changes from negative to positive, and the value of n2{n}_{2}n2​ varies from \ensuremath{\sim}--4 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 10${}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ to 4 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 10${}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ cm2{}^{2}2/W at certain near-resonant probe frequency detunings. Such controllable Kerr nonlinearity can find applications in optoelectronic devices, such as all-optical switching and logic gates.
Summary form only given. We present our recent results in measuring the nonlinear Kerr index of refraction of multi-level rubidium atoms inside an optical ring cavity. By using a similar experimental arrangement as we used previously to demonstrate cavity linewidth narrowing due to EIT inside an optical ring cavity, we can measure the nonlinear coefficient χ/sup (3)/ through the asymmetric transmission profile of the ring cavity. By measuring the degree of asymmetry, we can obtain the Kerr nonlinear index of refraction directly, without worrying about contributions from linear absorption. Our preliminary results indicate a significant enhancement of Kerr nonlinearity due to atomic coherence at near-resonance conditions. We present our experimental results and their comparison with theoretical calculations. We discuss the implications of this enhanced nonlinear Kerr index of refraction to nonlinear optical processes in an optical cavity.
The Kerr nonlinear index of refraction for rubidium atoms is measured by using an optical ring cavity with and without electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Significant enhancement and inhibition of the Kerr nonlinear index is observed near resonance with EIT. The nonlinear index of refraction is measured as functions of probe and coupling frequency detunings, respectively, with and without the presence of EIT. A simple theoretical calculation including Doppler broadening is presented and is found to be in good qualitative agreement with the experimentally measured results.