Physical Review A
Three-level atoms inside a degenerate optical parametric oscillator: Steady-state behaviors
F. Montes, Min Xiao
Abstract
We study a composite system consisting of N three-level \ensuremath{\Lambda}-type atoms and a degenerate optical parametric oscillator (DOPO). The standard DOPO threshold is modified by the presence of the three-level atoms. Bistability (in the intracavity field intensity versus pumping intensity for the DOPO) appears for certain atomic detunings and coupling field strengths between the intracavity field and one of the atomic transitions. The effects of the coupling field (for the auxiliary transition in the three-level atomic system) are discussed. The susceptibility of the three-level atoms is calculated for the lower and upper branches of the bistable curve. Both analytical (for certain special cases) and numerical (for more general cases) results are presented.