Physical Review A
Polarization-selective Kerr-phase-shift method for fast, all-optical polarization switching in a cold atomic medium
Chengjie Zhu, L. Deng, E. W. Hagley
Abstract
We examine an all-optical atomic-polarization-gate scheme using a polarization-selective Kerr phase-shift technique. Using a Kerr $\ensuremath{\pi}$-phase-shift technique, we selectively write a $\ensuremath{\pi}$ phase shift to one of the circularly polarized components of a linearly polarized signal field while leaving the other component unchanged. Upon recombination, the signal field acquires a ${90}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ linear-polarization rotation, completing the critical polarization-gate operation. We demonstrate with numerical simulations that a special phase-control light-field detuning can be obtained which results in a complete linear-polarization rotation with a phase-control light.