The coherent coupling of atomic levels under the action of driving electromagnetic fields is known to create unusual and interesting effects, such as the well-known population trapping phenomenon and subnatural line narrowing. In this paper we discuss two alternative configurations of three-level atoms, the cascade model and the inverted-V (lambda) model, in an effort to provide alternative options for experimental tests. In both cases we focus on the fluorescent emission spectrum of atom driven by two resonant fields and on the absorption spectrum of a weak probe passing through a gas in such a driven system. Subnatural line narrowing can be obtained from the cascade system but not from the lambda system. The lambda system, however, is characterized by strong population trapping so that it is not suitable for fluorescence studies (except out of resonance) because of its strongly reduced emission rate. The absorption spectrum of a weak probe displays gain features under high field conditions which suggest that useful amplification of a probe or laser-like emission should be possible over appropriate frequency ranges. We give a physical interpretation of the origin of the gain and explain why that in the case of a lambda system, but not a cascade system, steady-state population inversion can be obtained between both excited states relative to the lowest state of the atom. We also discuss the effect of Doppler broadening on the predicted emission and absorption lineshapes.The coherent coupling of atomic levels under the action of driving electromagnetic fields is known to create unusual and interesting effects, such as the well-known population trapping phenomenon and subnatural line narrowing. In this paper we discuss two alternative configurations of three-level atoms, the cascade model and the inverted-V (lambda) model, in an effort to provide alternative options for experimental tests. In both cases we focus on the fluorescent emission spectrum of atom driven by two resonant fields and on the absorption spectrum of a weak probe passing through a gas in such a driven system. Subnatural line narrowing can be obtained from the cascade system but not from the lambda system. The lambda system, however, is characterized by strong population trapping so that it is not suitable for fluorescence studies (except out of resonance) because of its strongly reduced emission rate. The absorption spectrum of a weak probe displays gain features under high field conditions which suggest that useful amplification of a probe or laser-like emission should be possible over appropriate frequency ranges. We give a physical interpretation of the origin of the gain and explain why that in the case of a lambda system, but not a cascade system, steady-state population inversion can be obtained between both excited states relative to the lowest state of the atom. We also discuss the effect of Doppler broadening on the predicted emission and absorption lineshapes.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of AmericaJan 1, 19900 citations

Spontaneous emission and absorption properties of a driven three-level system. II. The Λ and cascade models

Aaron S. Manka, Heide Doss, Lorenzo M. Narducci +2 more

This paper is concerned with the spectral profile of spontaneously emitted radiation from \ensuremath{\Lambda} and cascade models of driven three-level atoms, and with the absorption spectra of a weak probe. The atoms are excited by a pair of coherent external fields that are resonant or nearly resonant with the two dipole-allowed transitions of each of these two models. The main aim of this work is to extend earlier studies of the V-model configuration of three-level atoms and to present a comprehensive survey of the emission and absorption features of these systems. In addition to a derivation of exact formulas for the spectra and explicit analytic approximations in the high-intensity limit, we provide an explanation for the existence of simultaneous stationary population inversion between pairs of atomic levels and explore the effect of Doppler broadening on the absorption profile of the weak probe. In view of the latter analysis, in particular, we conclude that gain features persist even in the presence of inhomogeneous broadening. This suggests the possibility of experimental tests in a cell rather than an atomic-beam environment.This paper is concerned with the spectral profile of spontaneously emitted radiation from \ensuremath{\Lambda} and cascade models of driven three-level atoms, and with the absorption spectra of a weak probe. The atoms are excited by a pair of coherent external fields that are resonant or nearly resonant with the two dipole-allowed transitions of each of these two models. The main aim of this work is to extend earlier studies of the V-model configuration of three-level atoms and to present a comprehensive survey of the emission and absorption features of these systems. In addition to a derivation of exact formulas for the spectra and explicit analytic approximations in the high-intensity limit, we provide an explanation for the existence of simultaneous stationary population inversion between pairs of atomic levels and explore the effect of Doppler broadening on the absorption profile of the weak probe. In view of the latter analysis, in particular, we conclude that gain features persist even in the presence of inhomogeneous broadening. This suggests the possibility of experimental tests in a cell rather than an atomic-beam environment.

Physical Review AApr 1, 1991114 citations

Spontaneous emission and absorption properties of a driven three-level system

Lorenzo M. Narducci, Marlan O. Scully, Gian‐Luca Oppo +2 more

We investigate the steady-state spontaneous emission spectrum of a three-level atom driven by two coherent fields and the absorption spectrum of a weak probe passing through a collection of such driven atoms. We find that the fluorescence spectrum is strongly affected by the decay rates of all the levels involved in the atomic evolution and not just by the decay parameters of the specific transition whose emission spectrum is being monitored. In particular, the spectral components can acquire very different widths and peak heights relative to the case of the standard resonance fluorescence in which a two-level system is driven by a single near-resonant field. An external probe signal passing through the gas of three-level atoms may be absorbed or amplified, as in the standard two-level case, but under specific operating conditions, amplification (or absorption) occurs over the entire range where the atomic response is appreciable. In this case the existence of amplification or absorption is controlled solely by the population difference between two dressed states of the system. We provide numerical results in support of our arguments for arbitrary values of the atomic and field parameters and also develop an analytic description in the limit of strong driving fields that leads to explicit line-shape and linewidth formulas.We investigate the steady-state spontaneous emission spectrum of a three-level atom driven by two coherent fields and the absorption spectrum of a weak probe passing through a collection of such driven atoms. We find that the fluorescence spectrum is strongly affected by the decay rates of all the levels involved in the atomic evolution and not just by the decay parameters of the specific transition whose emission spectrum is being monitored. In particular, the spectral components can acquire very different widths and peak heights relative to the case of the standard resonance fluorescence in which a two-level system is driven by a single near-resonant field. An external probe signal passing through the gas of three-level atoms may be absorbed or amplified, as in the standard two-level case, but under specific operating conditions, amplification (or absorption) occurs over the entire range where the atomic response is appreciable. In this case the existence of amplification or absorption is controlled solely by the population difference between two dressed states of the system. We provide numerical results in support of our arguments for arbitrary values of the atomic and field parameters and also develop an analytic description in the limit of strong driving fields that leads to explicit line-shape and linewidth formulas.

Physical Review AAug 1, 1990284 citations

Population inversion and absorption spectrum of a V-type three-level atom driven by coherent and stochastic fields

Gao‐xiang Li, Jin-sheng Peng, Guangming Huang

The steady-state populations and the absorption spectrum of a V-type three-level atom driven by a strong coherent field and a weak stochastic one simultaneously are investigated. The population inversion in bare-state and dressed-state bases can happen significantly due to the effect of the stochastic field. A relation between the level gap of both atomic excited states and the Rabi frequency is found to decide in which excited state the population is larger than in another one for the same frequency detuning δ between the coherent and the stochastic fields. The line profiles of the absorption spectrum are strongly dependent on the frequency detuning δ. Different lineshapes such as a sharp emission peak (gain), an absorption peak or a dispersion-like peak can be exhibited at the line centre for different δ. Asymmetrical spectral features and line narrowing can be reached by adjusting δ and the Rabi frequency. Probe gain in sidebands can occur due to the unbalanced population distribution in dressed states.The steady-state populations and the absorption spectrum of a V-type three-level atom driven by a strong coherent field and a weak stochastic one simultaneously are investigated. The population inversion in bare-state and dressed-state bases can happen significantly due to the effect of the stochastic field. A relation between the level gap of both atomic excited states and the Rabi frequency is found to decide in which excited state the population is larger than in another one for the same frequency detuning δ between the coherent and the stochastic fields. The line profiles of the absorption spectrum are strongly dependent on the frequency detuning δ. Different lineshapes such as a sharp emission peak (gain), an absorption peak or a dispersion-like peak can be exhibited at the line centre for different δ. Asymmetrical spectral features and line narrowing can be reached by adjusting δ and the Rabi frequency. Probe gain in sidebands can occur due to the unbalanced population distribution in dressed states.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical PhysicsSep 11, 200017 citations

Spectral properties of a V -type three-level atom driven by two bichromatic fields

Peng Li, Takashi Nakajima, Xi‐Jing Ning

We theoretically investigate the spectral properties of a $V$ -type three-level atom driven by two bichromatic fields with a common frequency difference. By decomposing the master equation using harmonic expansions and invoking quantum regression theorem, fluorescence and probe absorption spectra of the strong atomic transition are numerically calculated under the steady state condition. We find that both fluorescence and absorption spectra exhibit two interesting features, which are equidistant comblike structures and phase-dependent line splittings. In the comblike structures, each fluorescence peak can be made subnatural by manipulating the relative intensities of the coupling fields, while for the absorption lines only the central peak can be narrowed. Line splittings are induced by the relative phase delay between the envelopes of the amplitudes of the two bichromatic fields. Interestingly, we find that the manipulation of the relative phase delay results in the emergence of sharp subnatural dips in the absorption spectra. As a natural consequence of the subnatural absorption dips, absorption spectra in atomic vapors exhibit striking subnatural burning holes for the counterpropagating probe beam geometry.We theoretically investigate the spectral properties of a $V$-type three-level atom driven by two bichromatic fields with a common frequency difference. By decomposing the master equation using harmonic expansions and invoking quantum regression theorem, fluorescence and probe absorption spectra of the strong atomic transition are numerically calculated under the steady state condition. We find that both fluorescence and absorption spectra exhibit two interesting features, which are equidistant comblike structures and phase-dependent line splittings. In the comblike structures, each fluorescence peak can be made subnatural by manipulating the relative intensities of the coupling fields, while for the absorption lines only the central peak can be narrowed. Line splittings are induced by the relative phase delay between the envelopes of the amplitudes of the two bichromatic fields. Interestingly, we find that the manipulation of the relative phase delay results in the emergence of sharp subnatural dips in the absorption spectra. As a natural consequence of the subnatural absorption dips, absorption spectra in atomic vapors exhibit striking subnatural burning holes for the counterpropagating probe beam geometry.

Physical Review AOct 12, 200616 citations

Absorption properties of a driven four-level doppler-broadened system

Yuan Cheng Shi, Jin‐Hui Wu, Gao Jin-Yue

This paper deals with the absorption spectra of a weak probe in a four-level Doppler-broadened system driven by three coherent fields. The main aim is to extend earlier studies of the spontaneous emission spectrum and to present a comprehensive survey of the spectral features of this system. In addition to a derivation of exact formulae for the spectra, we give an explanation with the help of an appropriate set of dressed atomic states. We also get a deeper insight into the physical origin of gain in view of the existence of a population inversion between the levels of the lasing transition. Finally, we explore the effect of Doppler broadening on the absorption profile of the weak probe.This paper deals with the absorption spectra of a weak probe in a four-level Doppler-broadened system driven by three coherent fields. The main aim is to extend earlier studies of the spontaneous emission spectrum and to present a comprehensive survey of the spectral features of this system. In addition to a derivation of exact formulae for the spectra, we give an explanation with the help of an appropriate set of dressed atomic states. We also get a deeper insight into the physical origin of gain in view of the existence of a population inversion between the levels of the lasing transition. Finally, we explore the effect of Doppler broadening on the absorption profile of the weak probe.

Chinese PhysicsApr 1, 20017 citations

We theoretically investigate the spectral properties of a

V

-type three-level atom driven by two bichromatic fields with a common frequency difference. By decomposing the master equation using harmonic expansions and invoking quantum regression theorem, fluorescence and probe absorption spectra of the strong atomic transition are numerically calculated under the steady state condition. We find that both fluorescence and absorption spectra exhibit two interesting features, which are equidistant comblike structures and phase-dependent line splittings. In the comblike structures, each fluorescence peak can be made subnatural by manipulating the relative intensities of the coupling fields, while for the absorption lines only the central peak can be narrowed. Line splittings are induced by the relative phase delay between the envelopes of the amplitudes of the two bichromatic fields. Interestingly, we find that the manipulation of the relative phase delay results in the emergence of sharp subnatural dips in the absorption spectra. As a natural consequence of the subnatural absorption dips, absorption spectra in atomic vapors exhibit striking subnatural burning holes for the counterpropagating probe beam geometry.