Observation of two multiwave mixing processes via dual optical pumping channels

Based on double optical pumping channels,we experimentally study the competition between two coexistent six-wave mixing(SWM) processes falling into two electromagnetically induced transparency windows by scanning the frequency of the probe field in two similar five-level atomic systems of 85Rb.By blocking one optical pumping channel unrelated to the four-wave mixing(FWM) process,one SWM process,together with the FWM process,generated by a conjugated small-angle static grating could be observed in the spectrum.Moreover,the other SWM process obtained by blocking the first SWM channel is also observed together with the FWM process in a lower N-type four-level subsystem.These experimental results agree well with theoretical predictions.