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International Journal of Physics and Mathematics

Quantum interference in three-level atomic configuration and double slit

J Saikia, A Dahal, SS Borah, Manas Protim Saikia, GD Baruah, K. G. Singha

Published Jan 1, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The main idea of lasing without inversion is the cancellation of absorption which leads to amplification (and laser) even if population inversion is not present. Such a situation is realized in three level atomic configurations where two coherent atomic transitions interfere destructively. In the present work, we describe the salient features where the situation is analogous to the double slit experiment.

DOI
10.33545/26648636.2024.v6.i1a.75

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The main idea of lasing without inversion is the cancellation of absorption which leads to amplification (and laser) even if population inversion is not present. Such a situation is realized in three level atomic configurations where two coherent atomic transitions interfere destructively. In the present work, we describe the salient features where the situation is analogous to the double slit experiment.
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This review paper is devoted to amplification and lasing without population inversion involving atomic transitions in gas media. We start by discussing the main motivation in inversionless lasing research, namely, the generation of short-wavelength laser light. Then, we review the basic physics of inversionless lasing in two-level and, eventually, in three- and multilevel atomic configurations. Finally, we summarize the current state of the art of LWI experiments and indicate the main difficulties with respect to short-wavelength laser generation.
When an atomic system interacts with light, it can amplify the electromagnetic radiation when gain exceeds loss. This requires that transitions from the upper level to the lower level prevail over the transitions from the lower level to the upper level. If one deals with a two-level system, the only way to obtain amplification is to create a state of population inversion, i.e. the upper level must be more densely populated that the lower level. "Lasing without inversion" may be possible when part of the atoms are trapped, which removes them from the subspace of states with which the upper level can have transitions. This chapter determines to what extent population inversion is necessary to achieve amplification. Independently, amplification without inversion and lasing without inversion were predicted by Harris using a different type of atomic interference. The amplification threshold has a number of features that are reminiscent of the laser threshold.
Abstract In terms of quantum interference we demonstrate the physical mechanisms which lead to light amplification without population inversion. The similarities and differences between the two model schemes, namely, A and V-type, are emphasized. A coherent radiation field, on one hand, which drives one of the lasing levels, yields the quantum mechanical two paths via Autler-Townes splittings. On the other hand, the spontaneous emission in this driving transition plays a key role in the asymmetries between the absorption and the stimulated emission in the lasing transition.
Considerable attention has been directed recently to the study of lasing without the need of population inversion. The optical coherence and quantum interference associated with the light amplification may lead to interesting statistical properties in inversionless lasers. Here we analyze a laser model that consists of an ensemble of closed multi-level (three or four levels) atoms driven by a single coherent field. Unlike conventional lasers where population inversion is maintained and kept at the threshold value for arbitrary laser output, the multi-level laser analyzed here can start lasing from population inversion and evolves from population inversion into non-inversion with the increasing atomic pumping. In other words, the system makes transition from light amplification by population inversion into light amplification by coherence. On the other hand, the system can be also made to start lasing without population inversion in any state basis. In both cases, initial inversion and non-inversion, which are controlled by the ratio of spontaneous decay rates, the laser well above threshold is always maintained by lasing without inversion (light amplification by coherence), and the laser intensity fluctuations may drop below the shot noise limit. Two factors contribute to the noise reduction: first, the disappearance of the population inversion leads to the depleted atomic population in the upper lasing state, which reduces the spontaneous emission noises; second, the fast coherent cycling of electrons between excited states leads to the highly regulated absorption and emission processes. We found that the combination of these two mechanisms can lead to the noise reduction in the laser output more than 50% below the shot-noise limit.