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

Physical Review A

Coherent pulse propagation: A comparison of the complete solution with the McCall-Hahn theory and others

David J. Kaup

Published Aug 1, 1977• 102 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The complete solution of the Maxwell-Bloch equations by the inverse scattering transform as given by Ablowitz, Kaup, and Newell is compared with the McCall-Hahn theory, and others. Not only it is shown that the earlier results are contained in the complete solution, but also several new results are obtained. Among these are an infinite set of "nonlinear moments" which evolve similar to the McCall-Hahn area, a closed-form solution for the nonlinear transmission, how one can determine absolute time delays, why the threshold area for lossless propagation is still exactly $\ensuremath{\pi}$ (even when the initial profile is off resonance but unchirped), and first-order effects of relaxation on $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ hyperbolic-secant pulse propagation. For the last-mentioned results, we find that in general if a $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ hyperbolic-secand pulse is initially off resonance, it will move away from resonance. Also, we find that the McCall-Hahn result for first-order effects on the time delay must be modified for small-amplitude $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ hyperbolic-secant pulses.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.16.704

Related papers

Exact solution of the initial eigenvalue problem for coherent pulse propagation

R. Michalska-Trautman

The inverse scattering method is used to investigate the resonant propagation of an optical pulse assumed to be initially unchirped and to have a hyperbolic-secant shape. An exact solution is found for the two-component initial eigenvalue problem. The discrete spectrum consists of a finite set of purely imaginary, equidistant values. The number of discrete eigenvalues (number of solitons) is determined by the initial pulse area $A$. The scattering amplitudes are expressed in terms of Euler gamma functions and hyperbolic functions. In addition to poles in the upper half-plane, the function $\frac{\overline{b}}{a}$ has a pole on the real axis for $A=(2n+1)\ensuremath{\pi}$.

Physical Review A•Jan 1, 1981•8 citations

Dynamics of an extremely short pulse in a Stark medium

S. O. Elyutin

Effects of propagation of an extremely short (of one or several oscillation periods) electromagnetic pulse in a medium whose resonance transition is characterized by diagonal as well as nondiagonal matrix elements of the dipole moment operator have been studied numerically. The Maxwell-Bloch system of equations is employed without using the approximation of slowly varying envelopes. An analog of the McCall and Hahn area theorem is discussed as applied to the division of the initial extremely short pulse into subpulses. The solution is obtained in the form of a solitary stable bipolar signal with a nonzero pulse area (nonzero breather).

Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics•Jul 1, 2005•18 citations

Optical solitons in dense resonant media

Anatoly A. Afanas'ev, R. A. Vlasov, A. G. Cherstvyi

Exact single-soliton solutions of the modified system of Maxwell-Bloch equations, in which the dipole-dipole interactions of the atoms of a dense resonant medium are taken into account, are obtained. Two propagation regimes are analyzed: “coherent,” where the pulse duration is much shorter than both relaxation times ( T p ≪ T 1 , T 2 ), and “incoherent,” where the pulse duration falls between the relaxation times ( T 2 ≪ T p ≪ T 1 ). It is predicted, for the first time, that soliton propagation of an ultrashort pulse is possible in a dense resonant absorbing medium in an incoherent interaction regime. The differences between the amplitude and phase characteristics of the solitons considered and the corresponding characteristics of the solitons for McCall-Hahn self-induced transparency are noted.

Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics•Mar 1, 2000•9 citations

Spectral moments in coherent resonant propagation

R. Michalska-Trautman

The conservation laws for coherent resonant propagation are studied, and an interpretation of these laws as conservation of pulse spectral moments is proposed. The nonlinear spectral density is expressed in terms of the scattering data for an initially hyperbolic secant pulse. In this way spectral moments are exactly determined at any distance and are used for a partial description of the propagating pulse. The conservation laws for the three lowest moments are investigated in detail. The evolution of the zero-order moment leads to an explicit formula for the attenuation of the electromagnetic energy. The rate at which the energy is absorbed depends critically on the pulse area. There is an essential difference between propagation of pulse with area smaller than $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and those with area larger than $\ensuremath{\pi}$. The evolution of the first moment corresponds to change of the pulse average frequency. The calculated shift of the average frequency due to detuning is compared with the experimental result of Slusher and Gibbs. The second-order moment is a measure of the pulse spectral width. The evolution of the Fourier second-order moment is used to explain the observed spectral narrowing of a $\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse and broadening of a $3\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse.

Physical Review A•Dec 1, 1980•6 citations

Amplification of coherent optical pulses

George L. Lamb

The amplification of a coherent optical pulse is analyzed by employing an inverse scattering method. In the extreme Doppler limit, one obtains an analytical expression that exhibits the expected evolution toward a $\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse with pulse amplification and compression. In the sharp-line limit, one obtains justification for previous usage of a similarity solution to describe $\ensuremath{\pi}$-pulse propagation in an amplifier. The analysis is carried out for an initial pulse profile (truncated hyperbolic secant) which yields a sufficiently simple scattering problem that the Marchenko equation of inverse scattering theory may be solved analytically.

Physical Review A•Nov 1, 1975•26 citations

Formation of an optical breather

R. Michalska-Trautman

The generation of an optical breather in coherent, resonant pulse propagation is studied. The initial field envelope is assumed to be in the form of a hyperbolic secant, with one half inverted so that the total area of the pulse is equal to zero. The Maxwell–Bloch equations for an inhomogeneously broadened atomic line are solved by the inverse-scattering method for all values of the independent variables x and t. The scattering amplitudes are found for any value θ of the absolute area of the initial pulse. For θ = 2πn the reflection coefficients are rational functions of the spectral parameter, and the inverse problem can be solved exactly. It is shown that the x-dependent poles of the reflection coefficients are responsible for the transient pulse shape. Such poles appear only in the presence of inhomogeneous broadening. The threshold for transparency is found at θ = 2π. At this value of the area, a breatherlike decaying solution is obtained. At θ = 4π a breather appears. Its energy amounts to approximately 70% of the initial pulse energy. For θ = 2π and 0 = 4π the solutions are analyzed in detail.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Jan 1, 1989•4 citations
The complete solution of the Maxwell-Bloch equations by the inverse scattering transform as given by Ablowitz, Kaup, and Newell is compared with the McCall-Hahn theory, and others. Not only it is shown that the earlier results are contained in the complete solution, but also several new results are obtained. Among these are an infinite set of "nonlinear moments" which evolve similar to the McCall-Hahn area, a closed-form solution for the nonlinear transmission, how one can determine absolute time delays, why the threshold area for lossless propagation is still exactly \ensuremathπ\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremathπ (even when the initial profile is off resonance but unchirped), and first-order effects of relaxation on 2\ensuremathπ2\ensuremath{\pi}2\ensuremathπ hyperbolic-secant pulse propagation. For the last-mentioned results, we find that in general if a 2\ensuremathπ2\ensuremath{\pi}2\ensuremathπ hyperbolic-secand pulse is initially off resonance, it will move away from resonance. Also, we find that the McCall-Hahn result for first-order effects on the time delay must be modified for small-amplitude 2\ensuremathπ2\ensuremath{\pi}2\ensuremathπ hyperbolic-secant pulses.
The inverse scattering method is used to investigate the resonant propagation of an optical pulse assumed to be initially unchirped and to have a hyperbolic-secant shape. An exact solution is found for the two-component initial eigenvalue problem. The discrete spectrum consists of a finite set of purely imaginary, equidistant values. The number of discrete eigenvalues (number of solitons) is determined by the initial pulse area AAA. The scattering amplitudes are expressed in terms of Euler gamma functions and hyperbolic functions. In addition to poles in the upper half-plane, the function b‾a\frac{\overline{b}}{a}ab​ has a pole on the real axis for $A=(2n+1)\ensuremath{\pi}$.
Effects of propagation of an extremely short (of one or several oscillation periods) electromagnetic pulse in a medium whose resonance transition is characterized by diagonal as well as nondiagonal matrix elements of the dipole moment operator have been studied numerically. The Maxwell-Bloch system of equations is employed without using the approximation of slowly varying envelopes. An analog of the McCall and Hahn area theorem is discussed as applied to the division of the initial extremely short pulse into subpulses. The solution is obtained in the form of a solitary stable bipolar signal with a nonzero pulse area (nonzero breather).
Exact single-soliton solutions of the modified system of Maxwell-Bloch equations, in which the dipole-dipole interactions of the atoms of a dense resonant medium are taken into account, are obtained. Two propagation regimes are analyzed: “coherent,” where the pulse duration is much shorter than both relaxation times ( T p ≪ T 1 , T 2 ), and “incoherent,” where the pulse duration falls between the relaxation times ( T 2 ≪ T p ≪ T 1 ). It is predicted, for the first time, that soliton propagation of an ultrashort pulse is possible in a dense resonant absorbing medium in an incoherent interaction regime. The differences between the amplitude and phase characteristics of the solitons considered and the corresponding characteristics of the solitons for McCall-Hahn self-induced transparency are noted.
The conservation laws for coherent resonant propagation are studied, and an interpretation of these laws as conservation of pulse spectral moments is proposed. The nonlinear spectral density is expressed in terms of the scattering data for an initially hyperbolic secant pulse. In this way spectral moments are exactly determined at any distance and are used for a partial description of the propagating pulse. The conservation laws for the three lowest moments are investigated in detail. The evolution of the zero-order moment leads to an explicit formula for the attenuation of the electromagnetic energy. The rate at which the energy is absorbed depends critically on the pulse area. There is an essential difference between propagation of pulse with area smaller than $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and those with area larger than $\ensuremath{\pi}$. The evolution of the first moment corresponds to change of the pulse average frequency. The calculated shift of the average frequency due to detuning is compared with the experimental result of Slusher and Gibbs. The second-order moment is a measure of the pulse spectral width. The evolution of the Fourier second-order moment is used to explain the observed spectral narrowing of a $\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse and broadening of a $3\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse.
The amplification of a coherent optical pulse is analyzed by employing an inverse scattering method. In the extreme Doppler limit, one obtains an analytical expression that exhibits the expected evolution toward a $\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse with pulse amplification and compression. In the sharp-line limit, one obtains justification for previous usage of a similarity solution to describe $\ensuremath{\pi}$-pulse propagation in an amplifier. The analysis is carried out for an initial pulse profile (truncated hyperbolic secant) which yields a sufficiently simple scattering problem that the Marchenko equation of inverse scattering theory may be solved analytically.
The generation of an optical breather in coherent, resonant pulse propagation is studied. The initial field envelope is assumed to be in the form of a hyperbolic secant, with one half inverted so that the total area of the pulse is equal to zero. The Maxwell–Bloch equations for an inhomogeneously broadened atomic line are solved by the inverse-scattering method for all values of the independent variables x and t. The scattering amplitudes are found for any value θ of the absolute area of the initial pulse. For θ = 2πn the reflection coefficients are rational functions of the spectral parameter, and the inverse problem can be solved exactly. It is shown that the x-dependent poles of the reflection coefficients are responsible for the transient pulse shape. Such poles appear only in the presence of inhomogeneous broadening. The threshold for transparency is found at θ = 2π. At this value of the area, a breatherlike decaying solution is obtained. At θ = 4π a breather appears. Its energy amounts to approximately 70% of the initial pulse energy. For θ = 2π and 0 = 4π the solutions are analyzed in detail.