Low-light-level nonlinear optics with slow light
Danielle Braje, Vlatko Balić, G. Y. Yin +1 more
Electromagnetically induced transparency in an optically thick, cold medium creates a unique system where pulse-propagation velocities may be orders of magnitude less than c and optical nonlinearities become exceedingly large. As a result, nonlinear processes may be efficient at low-light levels. Using an atomic system with three, independent channels, we demonstrate a quantum interference switch where a laser pulse with an energy per area of $\ensuremath{\sim}23$ photons per ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{2}/(2\ensuremath{\pi})$ causes a $1/e$ absorption of a second pulse.
arXiv:quant-ph/0309084•Physical Review A•Oct 15, 2003•256 citations