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Physical Review A

Controlling optical bistability using electromagnetic-field-induced transparency and quantum interferences

Harshawardhan Wanare, G. S. Agarwal

Published Mar 1, 1996• 220 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We demonstrate the application of electromagnetic-field-induced transparency and quantum interference effects in the cooperative phenomenon, such as optical bistability. The control field used in tandem with the usual electromagnetic field of the two-level scheme results in a considerable lowering of the threshold intensity. We discuss the transient response of the system in the mean-field limit and describe the regression to the steady state when perturbed away from it; the regression exponent is itself dependent on the control field. We also demonstrate the possibility of control-field-induced multistability in two-level systems. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.53.1812

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We demonstrate the application of electromagnetic-field-induced transparency and quantum interference effects in the cooperative phenomenon, such as optical bistability. The control field used in tandem with the usual electromagnetic field of the two-level scheme results in a considerable lowering of the threshold intensity. We discuss the transient response of the system in the mean-field limit and describe the regression to the steady state when perturbed away from it; the regression exponent is itself dependent on the control field. We also demonstrate the possibility of control-field-induced multistability in two-level systems. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
The behaviour of a V -type three-level atomic system in a ring cavity driven by a coherent field is studied. We consider a V configuration under conditions such that interference between decay channels is important. We find that when quantum interference is taken into account, optical bistability can be realized with a considerable decrease in the threshold intensity and the cooperative parameter. On the other hand, we also include the finite bandwidth of the driving field and study its role in the optical bistable response. It is found that at certain linewidths of the driving field optical bistability is obtained even if the system satisfies the trapping condition and the threshold intensity can be controlled. Furthermore, a change from the optical bistability due to quantum interference to the usual bistable behaviour based on saturation occurs as the driving field linewidth increases.
We present a comparative study of optical bistability (OB) in three-level atomic configurations, including $\Lambda $-, cascade-, and V- types under the conditions of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). In the steady regime, the input-output intensity relations for the OB in each configuration have been derived in analytical form. The model allows one to construct a clear picture on how the threshold intensity, and other characteristics of the OB are continuously modified with respects to controllable parameters of the laser fields, cooperation parameter, and other physical parameters of atomic system. The results showed that the threshold intensity of OB in Λ\Lambda Λ-type system is much less than the other ones and the threshold intensity of OB in V-type system is the largest one. The analytical result is convenient to choose excitation configuration for experimental observations and related applications in photonic devices.
The optical properties of a four-level double-V-type closed-loop system is studied in the multiphoton resonance condition. It is shown that the phase-dependent electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) window is established and by changing the relative phase of the applied fields, EIT switches to electromagnetically induced absorption. Moreover, the optical bistability (OB) behavior of the system is studied, and it is demonstrated that the cross-Kerr-effect-induced OB depends on the relative phase of the applied fields, and it can be controlled by either intensity or relative phase of laser fields. By applying a microwave field to drive the hyperfine transition between two lower states, the optical properties change and OB switches to optical multistability. This can be used for detection of longer wavelengths than visible light.
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical and experimental studies of atomic optical bistability and multistability, and their dynamical properties in systems with two- and three-level inhomogeneously-broadened atoms inside an optical cavity. By making use of the modified linear absorption and dispersion, as well as the greatly enhanced nonlinearity in the three-level electromagnetically induced transparency system, the optical bistablity and efficient all-optical switching can be achieved at relatively low laser powers, which can be well controlled and manipulated. Until now, the rapid rate of progress in applications of multilevel systems in cross-disciplinary field has made it difficult to newcomers to the field to obtain a broad overview of this topic. This monograph will serve the purpose.
We consider the behavior of optical bistability (OB) and multistability (OM) in a four-level atomic system involving a Rydberg state illuminated by a probe field as well as control and switching laser beams of larger intensity. When the switching field is absent, no OB arises because of the effect of Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency. However, by application of the switching field, the hysteresis cycle appears to give rise to optical bistability, thanks to Rydberg electromagnetically induced absorption. It is further demonstrated that one can efficiently modify the OB threshold via suitable choices of system-controlling parameters. Interestingly, it is observed that this model can produce an optical switching between OB and OM with potential applications in logic-gate devices for optical communication.
We theoretically investigate optical bistability (OB) behaviour in a four-level atomic system confined in a unidirectional ring cavity. It is shown that OB can be controlled by adjusting the intensity of the coupling field and the value of the cooperativity parameter. More importantly, our numerical results show that the threshold intensity of OB can be reduced without decreasing the range of the hysteresis loop via adjusting the effect of spontaneously generated coherence (SGC) or the relative phase between two applied fields. The influence of the frequency detuning of the coupling field on the OB behaviour is also discussed.