Observations of optical bistability are reported for a system composed of multiple atomic beams passing through a high-finesse optical cavity. Both the transmitted power and the intracavity fluorescent intensity have been recorded as functions of incident laser power for zero cavity and atomic detunings. A quantitative study has been made of the evolution of the steady-state switching intensities from well below the critical onset of bistability to well above this point. The results show reasonable agreement with a Gaussian-beam theory of optical bistability, but systematic departures are noted.Observations of optical bistability are reported for a system composed of multiple atomic beams passing through a high-finesse optical cavity. Both the transmitted power and the intracavity fluorescent intensity have been recorded as functions of incident laser power for zero cavity and atomic detunings. A quantitative study has been made of the evolution of the steady-state switching intensities from well below the critical onset of bistability to well above this point. The results show reasonable agreement with a Gaussian-beam theory of optical bistability, but systematic departures are noted.

Optics LettersAug 1, 198257 citations

Optical bistability in cooperative atomic systems (A)

H. J. Carmichael, P. D. Drummond, Saad S. M. Hassan +1 more

Journal of the Optical Society of America ANov 1, 19780 citations

Observation of absorptive bistability with two-level atoms in a ring cavity

Albert T. Rosenberger, Luis A. Orozco, Harry J. Kimble

Observations of steady-state hysteresis in absorptive bistability are reported for well-collimated atomic beams of sodium within a traveling-wave interferometer. The atomic medium approximates a system of homogeneously broadened "two-level" atoms, and effects due to standing waves are eliminated. The experiment thus represents the first demonstration of optical bistability under conditions that have been widely employed in theoretical models. Absolute measurements of switching intensities versus atomic cooperativity $C$ are reported, and a preliminary comparison with Gaussian-beam theory is made.Observations of steady-state hysteresis in absorptive bistability are reported for well-collimated atomic beams of sodium within a traveling-wave interferometer. The atomic medium approximates a system of homogeneously broadened "two-level" atoms, and effects due to standing waves are eliminated. The experiment thus represents the first demonstration of optical bistability under conditions that have been widely employed in theoretical models. Absolute measurements of switching intensities versus atomic cooperativity $C$ are reported, and a preliminary comparison with Gaussian-beam theory is made.

Physical Review AOct 1, 1983143 citations

Atomic Optical Bistability in a Two-level System

WORLD SCIENTIFIC eBooksJul 26, 20120 citations

Two-photon double-beam optical bistability in the dispersive regime

Philippe Grangier, Jean-François Roch, J. Roger +4 more

We report the observation and theoretical interpretation of two-photon double-beam optical bistability, where the nonlinearity is obtained in a two-photon transition in a sodium atomic beam. The experimental results, obtained in the dispersive regime, are compared with a simple crossed-phase-modulation model, and also with a numerical solution of the interaction between the cavity fields and three-level atoms, using the optical Bloch equations. For a wide range of parameters, both models agree with the experimental results. Oscillatory regimes may also appear, in agreement with the predictions of the complete model.We report the observation and theoretical interpretation of two-photon double-beam optical bistability, where the nonlinearity is obtained in a two-photon transition in a sodium atomic beam. The experimental results, obtained in the dispersive regime, are compared with a simple crossed-phase-modulation model, and also with a numerical solution of the interaction between the cavity fields and three-level atoms, using the optical Bloch equations. For a wide range of parameters, both models agree with the experimental results. Oscillatory regimes may also appear, in agreement with the predictions of the complete model.

Physical Review ASep 1, 199226 citations

C

are reported, and a preliminary comparison with Gaussian-beam theory is made.