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Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Highly non-resonant lasing without inversion gain in a ladder scheme

Doron Braunstein, Gennady A. Koganov, Ella Smolik, Yaacov Biton, R. Shuker

Published Sep 21, 2020• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract We show that it is possible to get gain without inversion at high frequency in a three-level ladder type scheme driven by a single driving laser. The transition from the ground state to first excited state is driven by a low-frequency resonant laser field. The next excited state lies far above the first one; therefore its resonant frequency can be much higher than that of the lower transition, and hence one should go beyond the most commonly used rotating wave approximation consisting of retaining only resonant terms (slowly oscillating) in the Hamiltonian. We solve the master equation, both analytically (under proper approximations) and numerically, with the full Hamiltonian keeping counter-rotating highly non-resonant terms. We show a dressed state picture explaining spectral features of gain-absorption profiles. Also we present a kind of phase diagram in the plane γ –Λ, where γ and Λ are spontaneous emission rate and incoherent pumping rate, respectively. The whole γ –Λ plane is divided into four areas: gain-inversion, absorption-no inversion, gain without inversion and absorption with inversion. The first two are usual regimes of incoherently pumped lasers, while the last two stem from the quantum interference phenomena. We analyse the parameter areas where such quantum regimes are possible. The exact numerical solution of the time-dependent master equation shows that keeping counter-rotating terms (no rotating wave approximation) gives rise to new spectral features in the form of additional peaks at combination frequencies. Actually the considered system works as a coherent frequency up-converter.

DOI
10.1088/1361-6455/abba44

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Exemplifying the three-level systems in the V configuration, we investigate the role of selective excitation of dressed populations in lasing without inversion. Incoherent driving field transfers population from either of the dressed states to excited state when the level spacing between dressed states produced by the coherent field is much larger than the spectral width of the incoherent driving field. With atomic decay pathways，unidirectional channel of population transfer is formed and selective excitation of dressed populations is established. Employing selective excitation of dressed populations，three severe limits are relaxed. First，it is no longer required that the decay rate of the low-frequency driving transition is larger than that of high-frequency laser transition. Second，the threshold for incoherent driving rate is remarkably lowered. Third，linear gain of the laser without inversion is no longer inversely proportional to the coherent driving field intensity, and the gain is significantly enhanced.

Acta Physica Sinica•Jan 1, 2004•2 citations
Abstract We show that it is possible to get gain without inversion at high frequency in a three-level ladder type scheme driven by a single driving laser. The transition from the ground state to first excited state is driven by a low-frequency resonant laser field. The next excited state lies far above the first one; therefore its resonant frequency can be much higher than that of the lower transition, and hence one should go beyond the most commonly used rotating wave approximation consisting of retaining only resonant terms (slowly oscillating) in the Hamiltonian. We solve the master equation, both analytically (under proper approximations) and numerically, with the full Hamiltonian keeping counter-rotating highly non-resonant terms. We show a dressed state picture explaining spectral features of gain-absorption profiles. Also we present a kind of phase diagram in the plane γ –Λ, where γ and Λ are spontaneous emission rate and incoherent pumping rate, respectively. The whole γ –Λ plane is divided into four areas: gain-inversion, absorption-no inversion, gain without inversion and absorption with inversion. The first two are usual regimes of incoherently pumped lasers, while the last two stem from the quantum interference phenomena. We analyse the parameter areas where such quantum regimes are possible. The exact numerical solution of the time-dependent master equation shows that keeping counter-rotating terms (no rotating wave approximation) gives rise to new spectral features in the form of additional peaks at combination frequencies. Actually the considered system works as a coherent frequency up-converter.
A scheme for obtaining laser in the deep x-ray regime is proposed based on the principle of gain without inversion. A ladder scheme is proposed in Ar+8{\mathrm{Ar}}^{+8}Ar+8 system. In this system, conventional lasing with population inversion has been obtained in a neonlike fashion. This lasing field is proposed for the drive field on the higher transition of the ladder. A coherent field obtained in the high harmonics ultrashort laser provides the probe field to be amplified. This will be selected to best match the frequency needed for the transition from lower level of the present x-ray lasing to the ground state. Numerical calculations in the bare state picture exhibit possible gain at resonance, and at the Rabi side bands, for appropriate choice of system parameters, i.e., the strength of the driving field, the strength of the incoherent pump that provides the required energy needed for the inversionless amplification and the deexcitation rate. The latter rate is detrimental to lasing as it increases. It is quite interesting to note that the system exhibits surprisingly high stability for gain without inversion even for quite high rate of the incoherent deexcitation processes. Real and imaginary parts of the coherences were also obtained for detuned drive and probe fields. These provide insight into the role played by the quantum interference. The present theoretical calculations give high confidence in the quantum interference process as a candidate for realizing very short wavelength laser.
A scheme for obtaining a laser without inversion in the deep X-ray regime is proposed based on the principle of gain without inversion. A ladder scheme is proposed in the Ar 8+ system. In this system, conventional lasing with population inversion in a neonlike scheme is used. This lasing field is proposed for the drive field on the higher transition of the ladder. A coherent field obtained in the high harmonics ultrashort laser provides the probe field to be amplified. The ground level is incoherently pumped into the highest level, while the latter is incoherently depumped into the ground level, at a different adjustable rate. A detailed density matrix calculation of the ladder configuration is performed [3], and the conditions under which the system exhibits inversionless gain, as well as regular gain, are derived. Numerical calculations in the bare state picture exhibits gain without inversion both at resonance and at the generalized Rabi side bands. The probe lineshape is shown to be constructed of two symmetrical dispersionlike features each centered at the generalized Rabi side bands. This is evidence of the quantum interference occurring at these locations and the basis for the gain without inversion.
A dressed-state study of lasing without population inversion from a three-level atom interacting with a bi-chromatic laser field in the ladder configuration is presented. In our model we allow the atom to be dressed by both of the coupling and probe fields. The system under consideration is explored both analytically and numerically within the steady-state regime. A parameter study is performed in which we explore the influence of the change of control parameters (Rabi frequencies and incoherent pump rates, etc) on the system behaviour. The parameter study also applies to situations where both coherent fields have comparable intensities. Expressions for steady-state populations and coherences are derived, from which the constraints on the system control parameters allowing gain or absorption of various types, are calculated. The system is demonstrated to possess gain without inversion (GWI), as well as regular gain with inversion, for the appropriate choice of system control parameters. Inversion without lasing (IWL) is also found. The dressed-state approach offers a different insight into the system dynamics in which Rabi oscillations and spectral features appear natural. We believe that the dressed-state approach provides a more adequate description of the system dynamics than that provided by the bare state basis.
A dressed-state study of lasing without population inversion from a three-level atom interacting with a bichromatic laser field in the ladder configuration is being formulated. The system is allowed to be dressed by both laser-field photons (double dressing). The temporal behavior of the system under consideration is being explored numerically. Although the use of dressed-basis density matrix equations introduces major complexity into the equations, this procedure has crucial importance to the understanding of the atomic spectrum and the underlying physics of the processes involved. The system is found to possess a gain without population inversion, as well as a regular gain with inversion for various transitions, both in the transient and steady-state regimes. Enhancement of the refractive index accompanied by vanishingly small absorption was also found. The frequency response of various transitions is explored via numerical Fourier analysis. Some transitions are found to exhibit a dispersion-like line shape, clear evidence of a quantum-coherent interference effect. The spectrum consists of two distinct quintets centered about the coupling and probe-laser frequencies. The spectral features consisting of each quintet are located symmetrically (at resonance conditions only) around the line center at positions shifted from the center by the generalized Rabi and double Rabi frequencies.
Most models of lasing without inversion utilize incoherent pumping of the upper state of the transition on which lasing occurs. We suggest replacing incoherent pumping by a color pump (i.e. laser with a finite bandwidth) for selective pumping of the upper state, where one can also take advantage of the tunability of the laser. A three-level ladder system is considered with the upper two levels providing the lasing transition. We reduce the density matrix equations for this system to a set of eight coupled Langevin equations with multiplicative noise. These equations are solved using Monte-Carlo methods to obtain the gain as a function of various atom and field parameters. The use of the color pump leads to a significant enhancement in gain. Using a dressed states formalism, an explanation of the possible physical mechanism behind this gain enhancement is provided.
Exemplifying the three-level systems in the V configuration, we investigate the role of selective excitation of dressed populations in lasing without inversion. Incoherent driving field transfers population from either of the dressed states to excited state when the level spacing between dressed states produced by the coherent field is much larger than the spectral width of the incoherent driving field. With atomic decay pathways，unidirectional channel of population transfer is formed and selective excitation of dressed populations is established. Employing selective excitation of dressed populations，three severe limits are relaxed. First，it is no longer required that the decay rate of the low-frequency driving transition is larger than that of high-frequency laser transition. Second，the threshold for incoherent driving rate is remarkably lowered. Third，linear gain of the laser without inversion is no longer inversely proportional to the coherent driving field intensity, and the gain is significantly enhanced.