Dynamical behaviors of three-level atoms inside an optical ring cavity

Hai Wang, David J. Goorskey, Min Xiao

Wenge Yang, Amitabh Joshi, Min Xiao

Dynamic instability in the transmission field of an optical ring cavity containing three-level $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type rubidium atoms is studied in detail both experimentally and theoretically. The onset and periodicity of such dynamic oscillations in the cavity field can be controlled by the experimental parameters, such as intensity and frequency detuning of the coupling field and∕or cavity field. Such nonlinear dynamic behavior is caused by competition between optical saturation of the cavity field and optical population pumping by the coupling field in the three-level atomic system.

Hai Wang, David J. Goorskey, Min Xiao

Optical bistability and dynamic instability are experimentally observed and studied in a system consisting of three-level $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type rubidium atoms in an optical ring cavity. The bistable behavior and self-pulsing frequency are experimentally manipulated by changing the controlling and cavity field parameters (power and frequency). These nonlinear effects are influenced by the enhanced Kerr nonlinearity due to atomic coherence in such a system.

Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-UniversitBonn

L. Chotorlishvili, Z. Z. Toklikishvili

Amitabh Joshi, Min Xiao

Optical multistability in an optical ring cavity filled with a collection of three-level Lambda-type rubidium atoms has been experimentally demonstrated. The observed multistability is very sensitive to the induced atomic coherence in the system and can evolve from a normal bistable behavior with the change of the coupling field as well as the atomic number density. The underlying mechanism for the formation of such multistability is also discussed.