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.     

Mid-infrared efficient generation by resonant four-wave mixing in a three-coupled-quantum-well nanostructure

We present a cascade configuration for the realization of highly efficient four-wave mixing (FWM) process in an asymmetric semiconductor three-coupled-quantum-well (TCQW) structure based on intersubband transitions (ISBTs). In the proposed TCQW scheme, the efficiency of the generated FWM mid-infrared (MIR) signal is significantly enhanced and the obtained maximum efficiency is greater than 50%. The corresponding explicit analytical expressions for the input probe and generated FWM pulsed fields are derived by use of the coupled Schrödinger-Maxwell approach and the FWM efficiency versus several variables is also discussed in details. Such a semiconductor system is much more practical than its atomic counterpart because of its flexible design and the wide adjustable parameters. This nonlinear optical process in the TCQW solid-state material can be used for efficiently generating coherent short-wavelength radiation.     

Efficient four-wave mixing of a coupled double quantum-well nanostructure

We propose an efficient four-wave mixing (FWM) scheme in an asymmetric semiconductor double quantum-well (SDQW) structure based on intersubband transitions, and obtain the corresponding explicit analytical expressions for the input probe and generated FWM pulsed fields by use of the coupled Schrödinger-Maxwell approach. Under the resonant and phase-matched conditions, the FWM efficiency versus several variables is also discussed in details and the maximum FWM efficiency of the system under study is greater than 25%. Such a semiconductor system is much more practical than its atomic counterpart because of its flexible design and the controllable interference strength. This nonlinear optical process in the SDQW solid-state material can be used for efficiently generating coherent short-wavelength radiation.     

Continuous-wave four-wave mixing with linear growth based on electromagnetically dual induced transparency

Using Schrodinger-Maxwell formalism, we propose and analyze a continuous-wave four-wave mixing (FWM) scheme for the generation of coherent light in a six-level atomic system based on electromagnetically dual induced transparency. We derive the corresponding explicit analytical expressions for the generated mixing field. We find that the scheme greatly enhances FWM production efficiency and is also capable of inhibiting and delaying the onset of the detrimental three-photon destructive interference by choosing the proper decay rate in the second electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) process.In addition, such an optical process also provides possibilities for producing short-wave-length coherent radiation at low pump intensities.     

Generation and Manipulation of Spin-Orbit Coupling mode via Four-Wave Mixing with Quantum Interference

Recently, the vectorial nonlinear optical processes driven by spin-orbit coupling (SOC) light have come to the fore, leading to striking optical phenomena and important applications both in classical and quantum optics. However, research on the SOC-mediated light-atom interactions is still in its infancy. Here, the generation and manipulation of SOC mode through a vectorial four-wave mixing (FWM) process in ⁸⁵Rb vapor is demonstrated. Under the excitation of two SOC pump beams, multiple FWM paths can be simultaneously established due to the rich atomic Zeeman sublevels coupling with different circularly polarized components of SOC fields. A higher-order cylindrical or more general SOC FWM signal is observed in the vectorial FWM process, which obeys angular momentum conservation and Gouy phase matching. In particular, quantum interference between different FWM paths plays a crucial role in manipulating the SOC mode of the generated FWM signal, revealing that the conversion of SOC mode is intrinsically quantum. This work provides a pathway toward deeper insight into the vectorial nonlinear optical processes and may advance technology for shaping spatially structured light, which is essential in applications such as nonlinear polarization imaging and the optical communication realm.     

N5B五能级系统中重复缀饰四波混频研究

从理论上研究了N5B五能级系统中一个激光场重复缀饰四波混频过程.结合能级图分析,从它特殊的Autler-Town分裂峰中可以非常清晰地看出其重复缀饰的作用.还研究了在强Probe场和强耦合场下N5B五能级下缀饰四波混频信号的抑制增强现象.采取独特的处理方法——独立作用法,研究结果表明一个激光场作用于N5B五能级系统时存在两次缀饰,并形成缀饰能级的二重分裂或者三重分裂,不同于多个耦合场对原子的多重缀饰作用.应用于非线性光谱术中对多峰结构的研究. 关键词： 四波混频 电磁感应透明 重复缀饰     

Enhancement and Suppression of Four-Wave Mixing in a Four-Level Atomic System

We report observations of the enhancement and suppression of four-wave mixing （FWM） in an electromagnetically induced transparency window in a Y-type ^85 Rb atomic system. The results show the evolution of the dressed effects （from pure enhancement to partial enhancement/suppression, and finally into pure suppression） in the degenerate-FWM processes. Moreover, we use the perturbation chain method to describe the FWM process. Finally, we observe the polarization dependence of the enhancement and suppression of the FWM signal.     

Coherent control of dressed images of four-wave mixing

In two-level as well as V-type three-level atomic systems, we study probe transmission, four-wave mixing (FWM) and fluorescence signals with dressing effect experimentally and theoretically. We find both the hyperfine structure (at the same energy level) and the transition dipole moment (at different energy levels) can affect the dressing effect. We also experimentally investigate that angle-control dynamics in the nonlinear propagation of the images of the probe and generated FWM in two-level atomic systems, and find that the focusing and defocusing of probe beam and FWM signals can be greatly affected by the angles between dressing fields.     

Spatial Splitting and Intensity Suppression of Four-Wave Mixing in V-Type Three-Level Atomic System

We illustrate our experimental observation of coexisting the controllable spatial splitting and intensity suppression of four-wave mixing （FWM） beam in a V-type three-level atomic system. The peak number and separation distance of the FWM beam are controlled by the intensities and frequencies of the laser beams, as well as atomic density.     

Investigation of odd-order nonlinear susceptibilities in atomic vapors

We theoretically deduce the macroscopic symmetry constraints for arbitrary odd-order nonlinear susceptibilities in homogeneous media including atomic vapors for the first time. After theoretically calculating the expressions using a semiclassical method, we demonstrate that the expressions for third- and fifth-order nonlinear susceptibilities for undressed and dressed four- and six-wave mixing (FWM and SWM) in atomic vapors satisfy the macroscopic symmetry constraints. We experimentally demonstrate consistence between the macroscopic symmetry constraints and the semiclassical expressions for atomic vapors by observing polarization control of FWM and SWM processes. The experimental results are in reasonable agreement with our theoretical calculations.     

Enhancement and suppression of spatial splitting four-wave mixing in atomic medium

We experimentally report on the evolution from singly-dressed to doubly-dressed four-wave mixing (FWM) process by controlling the powers of the probe, the pump and the dressing fields respectively. The differences in the enhancement and the suppression of FWM signal between the two-level and cascade three-level atomic systems are observed and explained by the multi-dressed effect theoretically. Both the x direction and the y direction spatial splittings of the degenerate-FWM (DWFM) beams are obtained. We also investigate the switch between the enhancement and the suppression of the DWFM signals and between its spatial splittings in x direction and y direction. The spatial splittings in x direction and y direction can be controlled by the relative position and the intensity of the involved laser beams. Such a study can be useful for optimizing the efficiency of the FWM process and providing potential applications in spatial signal processing.     

Opening four-wave mixing and six-wave mixing channels via dual electromagnetically induced transparency windows

Highly efficient four-wave mixing (FWM) and six-wave mixing (SWM) processes can coexist in a four-level Y-type atomic system due to atomic coherence. The simultaneously opened dual electromagnetically induced transparency windows in this four-level atomic system allow observation of these two nonlinear optical processes at the same time, which enables detailed studies of the interplay between the FWM and SWM processes. Three-photon and five-photon destructive interferences are also observed.     

Polarization enhancement and suppression of four-wave mixing in multi-Zeeman levels

Polarization dependence of the enhancement and suppression of four-wave mixing (FWM) in a multi-Zeeman level atomic system is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. A dressing field applied to the adjacent transition can cause energy level splitting. Therefore, it can control the enhancement and suppression of the FWM processes in the system due to the effect of electromagnetically induced transparency. The results show that the pumping beams with different polarizations select the transitions between different Zeeman levels that, in turn, affect the enhancement and suppression efficiencies of FWM.     

Application of coherent four-wave mixing for two-dimensional mapping of the spatial distribution of excited atoms in a laser-produced plasma

An experimental technique for the two-dimensional mapping of the relative populations of excited states of atoms and ions in a low-temperature plasma of optical breakdown is developed on the basis of coherent four-wave mixing (FWM) with hyper-Raman resonances. The possibility to extract information concerning the spatial distribution of the populations of excited atomic and ionic states from two-dimensional maps of the FWM intensity allowing for phase mismatch and one-photon absorption is considered. Conditions when FWM in a plasma occurs in the phase-matched regime and is not subject to a considerable influence of one-photon absorption are experimentally determined.     

Multi-component optical azimuthons of four-wave mixing

We report the multi-component optical azimuthons of four-wave mixing(FWM) composed of several modulated vortex beams, the so-called azimuthons, in V-type three-level and two-level atomic systems. We analyze the formation mechanisms of the FWM azimuthons theoretically and experimentally. In addition, we illustrate the interactions between the co-propagating azimuthon components. Finally, we also compare the stabilities of azimuthons in V-type three-level and two-level atomic systems.     

Two-photon conical emission

A two-photon resonantly enhanced four-wave mixing (FWM) process leading to the conical emission of two new frequency components has been observed in atomic sodium vapor. A dye laser tuned close to the 3s → 3d two-photon allowed transition produces broad-band emission near the frequencies of the 3d → 3p and 3p → 3s transitions. This radiation is emitted in the forward direction in the form of cones surrounding the transmitted laser beam. The dependence of the cone angle on the emission wavelength and atomic number density is in excellent agreement with the predictions of a model that ascribes the origin of the conical emission to a phase-matched four-wave mixing process.     

Multi-wave mixing Autler-Townes splitting in the five-level atomic system

We have demonstrated the Autler-Townes (AT) splitting of the four-wave mixing (FWM) process and the six-wave mixing (SWM) process in an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) window in five-level atomic vapor of 87 Rb. Moreover we discuss interactions of multi-dressed states. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical analysis.     

Enhancing and suppressing four‐wave mixing in electromagnetically induced transparency window

We demonstrate the enhancement and suppression of four‐wave mixing (FWM) in an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) window in Y‐type ⁸⁵Rb atomic system. The generated two‐photon FWM signal can be selectively enhanced and suppressed via an EIT window. The EIT of probe as well as the enhancement and suppression of FWM signals can be modified by the sequential‐cascade double dressing. The influence of different probe polarization configurations is also studied. Different polarization states of the probe laser can select different transitions among Zeeman sublevels and different dressing strengths. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial interference between four- and six-wave mixing signals

We experimentally demonstrate spatial interference between simultaneously generated four-wave mixing (FWM) and six-wave mixing (SWM) signals in a multilevel atomic system. By tuning the relative phase between the FWM and SWM processes the relative strengths between these two high-order nonlinear optical processes can be investigated.     

Observations of Autler-Townes spatial splitting of four-wave mixing image

We report the self- and external-dressed Autler-Townes (A-T) splittings of the images of the generated four-wave mixing signal (FWM) and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) of probe images in cascade three-level atomic system. Such spatial properties of probe and FWM signals are induced by the enhanced cross-Kerr nonlinearity. We demonstrate the controlled electromagnetically induced spatial dispersion (EISD), splitting and focusing of probe and FWM signals images by adjusting self- and external-dressing fields. Studies on such controllable A-T spatial splitting and spatial EIT effect can be very useful in applications of spatial signal processing and optical communication.