Nonlinear dynamics in lasing without inversion

We review lasing in homogeneously broadened coherently driven three-level systems in the framework of semiclassical density matrix formalism and using a nonlinear dynamics point of view. We discuss the following features of these systems: (i) self-pulsing lasing without inversion near the first lasing threshold, (ii) giant pulse lasing based on the population inversion without lasing phenomenon, and (iii) the enlargement of the cavity detuning range where lasing without inversion occurs by using broad-area cavities.     

Effect of vacuum-induced coherence on lasing without inversion in an equispaced three-level ladder system

The effects of vacuum-induced coherence (VIC) on the properties of the absorption and gain of the probe field in an equispaced three-level ladder atomic system are investigated. It is found that lasing without inversion (LWI) is remarkably enhanced due to the effect of VIC in the case of the small incoherent pump rate.     

Time-dependent dressed-states analysis of lasing without population inversion in a three-level ladder scheme

A dressed-state study of lasing without population inversion from a three-level atom interacting with a bichromatic laser field in the ladder configuration is being formulated. The system is allowed to be dressed by both laser-field photons (double dressing). The temporal behavior of the system under consideration is being explored numerically. Although the use of dressed-basis density matrix equations introduces major complexity into the equations, this procedure has crucial importance to the understanding of the atomic spectrum and the underlying physics of the processes involved. The system is found to possess a gain without population inversion, as well as a regular gain with inversion for various transitions, both in the transient and steady-state regimes. Enhancement of the refractive index accompanied by vanishingly small absorption was also found. The frequency response of various transitions is explored via numerical Fourier analysis. Some transitions are found to exhibit a dispersion-like line shape, clear evidence of a quantum-coherent interference effect. The spectrum consists of two distinct quintets centered about the coupling and probe-laser frequencies. The spectral features consisting of each quintet are located symmetrically (at resonance conditions only) around the line center at positions shifted from the center by the generalized Rabi and double Rabi frequencies.     

Field-driven super/subradiant lasing without inversion in three-level ladder scheme

A model of a superradiant laser comprising of N three-level systems driven by two pumping lasers is considered in semiclassical approximation. Steady-state equations for density matrix elements are solved both analytically and numerically. Various properties of generated light are investigated. It is found that such a laser can exhibit both superradiance, when the intensity scales as N(2), and subradiance when the intensity does not depend on N. The phase of the laser field is locked to the relative phase of the pumping lasers.     

Electromagnetically induced transparency and lasing without inversion in three-level atoms imbedded in a frequency-dependent environment

The response of a three-level atomic system driven by a resonant coherent field acting on a transition near the photonic band-edge of a photonic band-gap material as well as the general case of a frequency-dependent reservoir is studied. The strong frequency dependence of the radiation mode spectral density on the scale of the driving field Rabi frequency is shown to lead to essential and controllable changes in the refractive index, as well as to effects of electromagnetically induced transparency and lasing without inversion. Such an effective dynamic control of the atomic response enables for applications in nonlinear optics and optical computing and communications.     

Sideband manipulation of population inversion in a three-level Λ atomic system

Sideband manipulation of population inversion in a three-level A atomic configuration is investigated theoretically. Compared with the case of a nearly monochromatic field, a population inversion between an excited state and a ground state has been found in a wide sideband intensity range by increasing the difference in frequency between three components. Furthermore, the population inversion can be controlled by the sum of the relative phases of the sideband components of the trichromatic pump field with respective to the phase of the central component. Changing the sum phase from 0 to π, the population inversion between the excited state and the ground state can increase within nearly half of the sideband intensity range. At the same time, the sideband intensity range that corresponds to the system exhibiting inversion ρ00 〉 ρ11 also becomes wider evidently.     

Dressed states analysis of lasing without population inversion in a three-level ladder scheme: Approximate analytic time dependent solutions

A dressed-state study of lasing without population inversion from a three level atom interacting with a bi-chromatic laser field, in the ladder configuration, is formulated. We allow the atomic system to be dressed by both laser filed photons (double dressing). The evolution of the system under consideration is being explored both analytically and numerically, within the transient regime. Time dependent approximate analytic solutions for dressed-state populations and coherences are derived, within the so called “secular approximation,” under resonant conditions. We also present time dependent numerical solutions for population and coherences in the off-resonance regime. A spectral analysis is also performed revealing the structure of various dressed states transitions. These are shown to be composed of quintets centered about the frequencies of the coupling and probe laser fields and having sidebands located symmetrically at positions shifted from line center at the Rabi and double Rabi frequencies.     

Cyclotron mechanism of free-electron lasing without inversion

We consider one of the “paradoxical” effects of the theory of radiation and matter interaction: stimulated emission in the absence of inversion. The theory of simultaneous inversionless emission of two high-frequency waves due to their parametric interaction with ensemble of free electrons in magnetic field is developed. The analytical investigation and numerical simulation of the most interesting scheme of this two-photon interaction are presented. New effects are revealed; namely they are self-induced parametric instability of sufficiently strong waves and enhanced parametric instability in sufficiently dense electron medium.     

Amplification without population inversion in a three-level Λ-type system with an external coherent magnetic field

In this Letter, we investigate the amplification without inversion (AWI) in a new scheme, a three-level Λ-type system which the two lower states are coupled by an external magnetic field. We find that, owing to the presence of the external magnetic field, the absorption of the probing field is very sensitive to the relative phase of the probing and the pumping fields. By appropriately choosing the Rabi frequency of the pumping field, the Lamor frequency of the external magnetic field and the relative phase, AWI can be realized.     

Dynamical hysteresis in a three-level atomic system

We have experimentally investigated dynamical hysteresis behavior by changing the sweeping frequency of the cavity input field in the optical bistability of rubidium atoms (in a three-level atomic-type configuration) inside an optical cavity. The shape, width (or area), and direction of the hysteresis cycle are sensitive functions of the sweeping frequency for such an optical bistable system.     

稳态V型和A型无粒子数反转激光增益的比较研究

在相应参量取值相同的情况下,利用数值模拟的方法对比研究了封闭的V型和A型原子系统稳态增益随相干光场失谐量的变化规律.研究发现,这两种系统的稳态探测激光增益随探测激光场失谐量的变化曲线具有相似的形状,但数值上存在差异.这一现象与两种系统的原子相干性与粒子数分布的特点直接相关.另外,还发现驱动激光失谐及由于自发辐射诱导相干导致的原子相干性的增强能显著影响探测激光增益.     

Effects of the upper level coupling field on lasing without inversion in a V-type system

Driven by one upper level coupling field, a three-level V-type atomic system with a pair of upper levels is studied. With one strong coupling field and one weak probe field, it is found that, due to the effects of the upper level coupling field, the quantum coherence between the two upper levels can be induced, and the absorption of the probing field is very sensitive to the relative phase of the probe, the pumping and the upper level coupling fields. With proper parameters, lasing without inversion (LWI) can be realized.     

An analysis of lasing without inversion in a three level system in terms of vector representation

In the present work, we show that the problem of Λ-type three level systems and lasing without inversion can be understood in terms of evolution of vectors. The time evolutions of these vectors have been worked out using the transition probabilities and detuning. One of the salient features of the work is that Glauber-Sudershan’s p-function can be visualized with this approach. We also present a comparative study between different vector models representing three level Λ-type lasers.     

An analysis of lasing without inversion in a three level system in terms of vector representation

In the present work we have worked out phasor diagrams with the help of the concept of moving vectors. We show that the area enclosed by the phasor diagrams behaves like lifetime of atomic states. We also make a comparative study of our model with the models suggested by other workers to explain lasing without inversion.     

Enhanced Kerr nonlinearity via atomic coherence in a three-level atomic system

We measure the Kerr-nonlinear index of refraction of a three-level Lambda-type atomic system inside an optical ring cavity. The Kerr nonlinearity is modified and greatly enhanced near atomic resonant conditions for both probe and coupling beams. The Kerr nonlinear coefficient n(2) changes sign when the coupling beam frequency detuning switches sign, which can lead to interesting applications in optical devices such as all-optical switches.     

Two-photon gain without inversion vs. linear absorption in a three-level scheme

A three level scheme interacting with three laser fields is considered. It is found that two competing processes contribute to the absorption/dispersion on a particular transition: (i) one-photon processes governed by the field applied to that transition, and (ii) two-photon processes governed by the two laser fields applied to two other transitions. Interference between the two processes can be both constructive and destructive. It is shown that the net absorption/gain and dispersion can be controlled by the relative phases of the laser fields.     

Generation of entanglement via atomic coherence in a two-mode three-level cascade atomic system

The generation of continuous variable entanglement via atomic coherence in a two-mode three-level cascade atomic system is discussed according to the entanglement criterion proposed by Duan et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 2722 (2000)]. Atomic coherence between the top and bottom levels is induced with two photons of a strong external pump field. It shows that entanglement for the two-mode field in the cavity can be generated under certain conditions. Moreover, by means of the input-output theory, we show that the two-mode entanglement could also be approached at the output.