Negative permeability in a Λ-type three-level atomic vapor

Mostafa Sahrai, R. Etemadpour, Mohammad Mahmoudi

Shuang-Ying Zhang, Ailing Gong, Shun‐Cai Zhao

An approach for two-dimensional (2D) negative permeability in a Λ-type three-level atomic system interacting with a magnetic probe and the superposition of two orthogonal standing-wave fields is proposed. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, two equally and tunable peak maxima of negative magnetic responses are observed in the x-y plane, and around the peak maxima region the negative permeability is isotropic. A new avenue to 2D isotropic negative permeability in isotropic applications, via the quantum optics method, is achieved in our scheme.

Xuan Li, Jianqi Shen

A new mechanism for realizing negative permeability with a three-level ladder-type atomic (or molecular) system at microwave frequency is suggested. The explicit expressions for the magnetic permeability of both steady and transient cases are presented. Compared with the previous schemes to realize negative permeability within the framework of classical electromagnetic theory, the most remarkable feature in the present mechanism is that it can realize the isotropic material with negative permeability. Such a permeability can be controllably manipulated by external coupling fields and could lead to potential applications in quantum optical devices.

Lambros G. Johnson

A.‐S. F. Obada, M. M. A. Ahmed, Ahmed M. Farouk +1 more

Jian Qi Shen

Since previous negative-index atomic media based on quantum optical approaches are highly lossy, a proposal for realizing a three-dimensionally isotropic left-handed atomic vapor medium is suggested based on a mechanism of incoherent gain assisted atomic transitions. Two three-level atomic systems are utilized for producing simultaneously negative permittivity and negative permeability, respectively, in the same frequency band. We suggest that fine and hyperfine level transitions of atoms (e.g., a hyperfine level transition in a hydrogen atomic system and a fine level transition in an alkali-metal atomic system) would be applicable to realization of such a negatively refracting atomic vapor. The attractive features of the present scenario include: i) three-dimensionally isotropic negative indices; ii) incoherent gain wave amplification in the negative-index atomic vapor; iii) tunable negative indices depending upon external fields. Such a left-handed quantum optical medium can serve as a supporting substrate for lossy negative-index materials for loss compensation. It can also be used in designing new quantum optical and photonic devices (e.g., a subwavelength focusing system and a negative-index superlens for perfect imaging) because of its attractive properties of three-dimensional isotropy and high-gain wave amplification.