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

Laser Physics

Four-wave-mixing phenomena associated with 700-fs-pumped potassium vapor

W. R. Garrett, Richard F. Haglund, David R. Ermer, L. Deng, Marvin G. Payne

Published Jan 1, 2002• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We examine four-wave-mixing effects associated with three-photon pumping of potassium 4S 1/2 ground state to a coherent superposition of 4P 1/2 and 4P 3/2 states by 0.7 ps pulses from a free-electron laser source at 2.3 μm.

Related papers

Four-wave mixing and parametric four-wave mixing near the 4P 4S transition of the potassium atom

M. Katharakis, Nikolaos Merlemis, Alexander A. Serafetinides +1 more

Potassium 4S 1/2 –6S 1/2 two-photon excitation initiates the emission of several internally generated photons. For the first time two emission lines, one close to and one below the potassium 4P 3/2 level, are reported for low pumping intensity. Radiation emitted below the 4P 3/2 level is due to a parametric four-wave mixing process that uses the photons emitted at the 5P 3/2 –4S 1/2 transition and a two-step four-wave mixing process generates the line emitted close to the 4P 3/2 level.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Nov 27, 2002•23 citations

Wave-mixing processes in sodium-potassium vapor

Brian K. Clark, Mark F. Masters, John Huennekens

We report observations of 4‐wave and 6‐wave mixing processes based upon two‐photon pumping of the potassium 4S→6S and 4S→4D transitions in a sodium‐potassium mixture. Additionally we observe coherent emissions at the potassium 3D→4P transition frequencies for pump wavelengths between 725 and 760 nm. The excitation spectra for these emissions show several broad peaks, each of roughly 10 nm width. A series of sharp dips is superimposed on the most intense peak due to depletion of the 3D population by laser‐induced absorption to Rydberg F levels. Although the 3D→4P emissions can be observed in both the forward and backward directions, they are ∼50 times more intense in the forward direction. We believe the forward emission is primarily due to 6‐wave mixing while the backward emission can most likely be attributed to amplified spontaneous emission following two‐photon molecular photodissociation. However, at present, the exact mechanisms responsible for these 3D→4P emissions are not fully understood.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 1988•1 citation

Four-wave mixing near the 4P-4S transition of a potassium atom

M. Katharakis, Nikolaos Merlemis, Alexandros A. Serafetinides +1 more

Potassium 4S1/2 - 6S1/2 two-photon excitation initiates the emission of several internally generated photons. For the first time two emission lines one close and one below the potassium 4P3/2 level are reported. Radiation emitted below the 4P3/2 - 4S1/2 level is due to a Parametric Four Wave Mixing (PFWM) process initiated by the internally generated radiation from 5P3/2 - 4S1/2 level. The line emitted close to the 4P3/2 level is produced by a two-step Four Wave Mixing (FWM) process. Direct one photon driving of 4S3/2 - 4P3/2 transition produces similar to HEP radiation.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Apr 11, 2003•0 citations

Interaction of atomic wave packets with four-wave mixing:?detection of rubidium and potassium wave packets by coherent ultraviolet emission

Henry Tran, P. C. John, Ju Gao +1 more

The observation of an atomic wave packet by use of a coherent, nonlinear-optical process is reported. Wave packets formed in K or Rb vapor by two-photon excitation of ns and (n-2)dstates (n=8 for K; n=11 , 12 for Rb) with red (~620-nm) , 80-100-fs pulses were detected by four-wave mixing in pump-probe experiments. The temporal behavior of the wave packet is observed by monitoring the coherent UV radiation generated near the alkali mp(2)P? (2)S(1/2) (7</=m</=12 for Rb; 5</=m</=7 for K) resonance transitions when a probe pulse is scattered by the wave packet established by the earlier (identical) pump pulse. The spatial and spectral characteristics of the UV emission are well described by axially phase-matched four-wave mixing, and all the prominent frequency components of the wave packets are associated with energy differences between pairs of excited states for which Diota=0 or Diota=2 . These results demonstrate that the wave packet modulates chi((3))of the medium, thus rendering the wave packet detectable.

Optics Letters•Jan 1, 1998•26 citations

Observation of four-wave mixing involving two quadrupole transitions in Na vapor

R. L. Panock, Richard R. Freeman, John E. Bjorkholm

We have observed a four-wave mixing process in sodium vapor in which two of the four waves are resonantly enhanced by electric quadrupole transitions. The atom is pumped via a quadrupole transition from the 3s to the 4d state with a single photon at 2894 Å. Intense coherent emission at 3427 Å corresponding to the 3d-3s transition can be observed exiting the Na cell only in the direction parallel to the input beam. Also observed coming from the cell is intense coherent light at 2.34 µm corresponding to the 4d-4s transition in Na.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 1981•0 citations

Generation of coherent UV radiation by optical wave-mixing processes in atomic potassium

P. L. Zhang, Y. C. Wang, ARTHUR L. SCHAWLOW

A pulsed dye-laser beam (ωL) pumped by a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser is focused into a heat-pipe oven containing potassium vapor (nk ≈ 1016 cm−3). Two-photon resonant four-wave and six-wave mixing processes using the potassium 8s 2S1/2 state are investigated. Thirty-two coherent UV radiation lines are generated within the range of 300–400 nm through the processes ωUV = 2ωL ± ωIR and ωUV = 2ωL − ω′IR − ω″IR ± ω‴IR, where ωIR are frequencies of laser-induced IR waves generated in the vapor near the transitions 8S–7P, 7P–7S, 7P–5D, 8S–6P, 7S–6P, 5D–6P, etc. The influence of resonant enhancement on the UV line intensities and the phase-matching condition are analyzed.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Mar 1, 1984•38 citations
We report observations of 4‐wave and 6‐wave mixing processes based upon two‐photon pumping of the potassium 4S→6S and 4S→4D transitions in a sodium‐potassium mixture. Additionally we observe coherent emissions at the potassium 3D→4P transition frequencies for pump wavelengths between 725 and 760 nm. The excitation spectra for these emissions show several broad peaks, each of roughly 10 nm width. A series of sharp dips is superimposed on the most intense peak due to depletion of the 3D population by laser‐induced absorption to Rydberg F levels. Although the 3D→4P emissions can be observed in both the forward and backward directions, they are ∼50 times more intense in the forward direction. We believe the forward emission is primarily due to 6‐wave mixing while the backward emission can most likely be attributed to amplified spontaneous emission following two‐photon molecular photodissociation. However, at present, the exact mechanisms responsible for these 3D→4P emissions are not fully understood.
Potassium 4S1/2 - 6S1/2 two-photon excitation initiates the emission of several internally generated photons. For the first time two emission lines one close and one below the potassium 4P3/2 level are reported. Radiation emitted below the 4P3/2 - 4S1/2 level is due to a Parametric Four Wave Mixing (PFWM) process initiated by the internally generated radiation from 5P3/2 - 4S1/2 level. The line emitted close to the 4P3/2 level is produced by a two-step Four Wave Mixing (FWM) process. Direct one photon driving of 4S3/2 - 4P3/2 transition produces similar to HEP radiation.
The observation of an atomic wave packet by use of a coherent, nonlinear-optical process is reported. Wave packets formed in K or Rb vapor by two-photon excitation of ns and (n-2)dstates (n=8 for K; n=11 , 12 for Rb) with red (~620-nm) , 80-100-fs pulses were detected by four-wave mixing in pump-probe experiments. The temporal behavior of the wave packet is observed by monitoring the coherent UV radiation generated near the alkali mp(2)P? (2)S(1/2) (7</=m</=12 for Rb; 5</=m</=7 for K) resonance transitions when a probe pulse is scattered by the wave packet established by the earlier (identical) pump pulse. The spatial and spectral characteristics of the UV emission are well described by axially phase-matched four-wave mixing, and all the prominent frequency components of the wave packets are associated with energy differences between pairs of excited states for which Diota=0 or Diota=2 . These results demonstrate that the wave packet modulates chi((3))of the medium, thus rendering the wave packet detectable.
We have observed a four-wave mixing process in sodium vapor in which two of the four waves are resonantly enhanced by electric quadrupole transitions. The atom is pumped via a quadrupole transition from the 3s to the 4d state with a single photon at 2894 Å. Intense coherent emission at 3427 Å corresponding to the 3d-3s transition can be observed exiting the Na cell only in the direction parallel to the input beam. Also observed coming from the cell is intense coherent light at 2.34 µm corresponding to the 4d-4s transition in Na.
A pulsed dye-laser beam (ωL) pumped by a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser is focused into a heat-pipe oven containing potassium vapor (nk ≈ 1016 cm−3). Two-photon resonant four-wave and six-wave mixing processes using the potassium 8s 2S1/2 state are investigated. Thirty-two coherent UV radiation lines are generated within the range of 300–400 nm through the processes ωUV = 2ωL ± ωIR and ωUV = 2ωL − ω′IR − ω″IR ± ω‴IR, where ωIR are frequencies of laser-induced IR waves generated in the vapor near the transitions 8S–7P, 7P–7S, 7P–5D, 8S–6P, 7S–6P, 5D–6P, etc. The influence of resonant enhancement on the UV line intensities and the phase-matching condition are analyzed.