Effect of spontaneously generated coherence on probe response in an open system

The effect of spontaneously generated coherence on the probe response in an open ladder atomic system with equispaced levels is studied. The result shows that by adjusting the strength of spontaneously generated coherence (SGC), electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and high dispersion (index of refraction) with zero absorption can be realized, a much larger gain without inversion (GWI) than that without SGC can be obtained. Moreover, in the open system and for some strength of SGC, GWI without the incoherent pumping is much larger than that with the incoherent pumping; however, in the corresponding closed system, when the incoherent pumping is absent, we cannot obtain any gain (with or without inversion) for any strength of SGC. In addition, the manipulation role of the atomic exit and injection rates on SGC-dependent absorption property is analyzed for the case when the incoherence pumping does not exist.     

Theoretical calculations on the NaS and NaS+ radicals: electronic structure, spectroscopy and spin-orbit couplings

We propose a closed three-level V-type system with an incoherent pumping which achieves a high index of refraction without absorption via spontaneously generated coherence. The system has two near-degenerate excited levels. We derive full analytical formulas for the index of refraction and the gain (absorption) coefficient. We found that the proper choice of the incoherent pumping, the relative phase of the two coherent fields, the Rabi frequencies, the probe detuning and the angle between the two transitions leads to the enhancement of the refractive index without absorption.     

Electromagnetically induced negative refraction in an atomic system with spontaneously generated coherence

We propose a new scheme for realizing left-handed electromagnetic properties in a coherently driven four-level system. At the presence of spontaneously generated coherence and the local field effect, both dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability may have negative real parts of the same order in a small frequency band. Thus, one can achieve the negative refractive index and then manipulate it by modulating the coherent field or changing the atomic density. With incoherent pumping applied to have more remarkable spontaneously generated coherence, one can further obtain a wider frequency band of negative refraction and simultaneously reduce the accompanied absorption.     

Effects of relative phase in an open ladder system without incoherent pumping

We studied effects of the relative phase between the probe and driving fields on the absorption and dispersion properties in an open three-level ladder system with spontaneously generated coherence but without incoherent pumping. It is shown that by the phase controlling, switching from absorption to lasing without inversion (LWI) and enhancing remarkablely LWI gain can be realized; large index of refraction with zero absorption and the electromagnetically induced transparency can be obtained. We also find that varying the atomic injection and exit rates has a considerable influence on the phase dependent-absorption property of the probe field, existent of the atomic injection and exit rates gives the necessary condition of the realization of LWI, getting LWI is impossible in the corresponding closed system without incoherent pumping.     

Coherent hole-burnings induced by a bichromatic laser field

In a Doppler-broadened three-level Λ-type system driven simultaneously by a coupling laser and two equal-amplitude saturating laser fields with a frequency difference 2δ, the absorption spectrum of a weak probe laser exhibits multiple deep spectral holes through coherent hole-burning CHB with controllable numbers, widths, depths, and positions. More significant, changing δ or lasers directions, CHBs can degenerate into narrower and deeper spectral holes where the slope of the refractive index is very steep. The multiple narrow spectral holes in a single absorption profile are expected to have potential applications in high density storage, optical information processes, and slow-light.     

Large refractive index with vanishing absorption in optical fibers

We propose and demonstrate a novel scheme for realizing large refractive index with vanishing absorption in a three-level quantum system consisting of the energy levels of Er³⁺-doped ZrF₄–BaF₂–LaF₃–AlF₃–NaF (ZBLAN) optical fiber. It is found that the refractive index of the probe field can be controlled via the coherent coupling field and incoherent pumping field. The switching from negative refractive index to positive refractive index and manipulation of the value of the index of refraction while maintaining vanishing absorption of the probe field can be achieved via tuning the detuning of the coherent coupling field. Our scheme may provide some new possibility for technological applications in fiber communication.     

Quantum interferences from cross talk in J = 1/2 ↔ J = 1/2 transitions

We consider the possibility of a control field opening up multiple pathways and thereby leading to new interference and coherence effects. We illustrate the idea by considering the J = 1/2 ↔ J = 1/2 transition. As a result of the additional pathways, we show the possibilities of nonzero refractive index without absorption and gain without inversion. We explain these results in terms of the coherence produced by the opening of an extra pathway.     

Intersubband optical absorption coefficients and refractive index changes in modulation-doped asymmetric double quantum well

The linear and the third-order nonlinear optical absorption coefficients and refractive index changes in a modulation-doped asymmetric double quantum well are studied theoretically. The electron energy levels and the envelope wave functions in this structure are calculated by the Schrödinger and Poisson equations self-consistently in the effective mass approximation. The analytical expressions of optical properties are obtained by using the compact density-matrix approach. In this regard, the linear, nonlinear and total intersubband absorption coefficients and refractive index changes are investigated as a function of right-well width (Lw₂) of asymmetric double quantum well. Our results show that the total absorption coefficients and refractive index changes shift toward higher energies as the right-well width decreases. In addition, the total optical absorption coefficients and refractive index changes is strongly dependent on the incident optical intensity.     

Effect of concentration of Er3+ ions on ultra-large index of refraction via atomic coherence in Er3+: YAG crystal

A four-level system is proposed to produce large index of refraction accompanied by vanishing absorption in the Er^{3+}-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) crystal. It is found that the high index of refraction with zero absorption can be provided by adjusting the incoherent pumping, the coherent field, as well as the concentration of Er^{3+} ions in the crystal. Furthermore, the value of the incoherent pump to achieve the high index of refraction with zero absorption is greatly changed with increasing the concentration of Er^{3+} ions in the crystal. This indicates that the effect of concentration on the high index of refraction with zero absorption cannot be neglected.     

Comparison of transient process between open and closed ladder-type systems with spontaneously generated coherence and incoherent pumping

We theoretically investigated transient response of open and closed three-level ladder-type atomic system with or without the spontaneously generated coherence (SGC) which could be satisfied with the help of an incoherent pumping. The existence of the SGC effect makes the open and closed system to be distinguished. We compared transient response of weak probe between open and closed system and found that transient properties exhibit different features by adjusting some related parameters, such as the relative phase between probe and coupling fields, the angle between two dipole moments.     

Time-dependent photon correlations for incoherently pumped quantum dot strongly coupled to the cavity mode

The time dependence of correlations between the photons emitted from a microcavity with an embedded quantum dot under incoherent pumping is studied theoretically. Analytic expressions for the second-order correlation function g ⁽²⁾(t) are presented in strong and weak coupling regimes. The qualitative difference between the incoherent and coherent pumping schemes in the strong coupling case is revealed: under incoherent pumping, the correlation function demonstrates pronounced Rabi oscillations, but in the resonant pumping case, these oscillations are suppressed. At high incoherent pumping, the correlations decay monoexponentially. The decay time nonmonotonically depends on the pumping value and has a maximum corresponding to the self-quenching transition.     

Controlling the optical bistability in a Λ-type atomic system via incoherent pump field

We investigated optical bistability (OB) and the absorption properties of a weak probe field in a three-level Λ-type atomic system confined in a unidirectional ring cavity via incoherent pump field. We found that the threshold of OB and the probe field absorption can be controlled by the rate of incoherent pump field. No laser field was used in the pumping processes.     

Coherence induced by incoherent pumping field and decay process in three-level Λ type atomic system

Following the method proposed by Kozlov et al. [Victor V. Kozlov, Yuri Rostovtsev, Marlan O. Scully, Phys. Rev. A 74 (2006) 063829], we have investigated the atomic coherence induced by incoherent pump and vacuum spontaneous decay process in a Λ type three-level atomic system. The system can be in a coherent population trapping state and multi-steady states in different conditions. Interestingly, two kinds of new states are derived from the system with different pumping rate and decaying rate. They are the “robust” steady state and the “weak” steady state. Under the action of pump field and vacuum reservoir, these two kinds of states exhibit stable or unstable characteristics, respectively. Moreover, by investigating the difference between these states, we reveal the mechanism of coherence excitation and level-population transition. The special feature of the Λ atomic system will promise fruitful applications in quantum optics.     

Phase-dependent properties for absorption and dispersion in a closed equispaced three-level ladder system

It is shown that in a closed equispaced three-level ladder system, by controlling the relative phase of two applied coherent fields, the conversion from absorption with inversion to lasing without inversion (LWI) can be realized; a large index of the refraction with zero absorption can be gotten; considerable increasing of the spectrum region and value of the LWI gain can be achieved. Our study also reveals that the incoherent pumping will produce a remarkable effect on the phase-dependent properties of the system. Modifying value of the incoherent pumping can change the property of the system from absorption to amplification and enhance significantly LWI gain. If the incoherent pumping is absent, we cannot get any gain for any value of the relative phase.     

Theoretical study of the optical absorption and refraction index change in a cylindrical quantum dot

Analytical expressions of the optical absorption coefficient and the change in refractive index associated with intraband relaxation in a cylindrical quantum dot are obtained by using the density matrix formalism. Energy levels in conduction band were calculated with finite confining potential in the framework of the effective-mass envelope-function theory. Numerical calculations on a typical GaAs/AlβGa1−βAs QD are performed. It is found that the absorption and refraction index change sensitively depend not only on the incident optical wave but also on the dot size and the Al mole fraction β in the AlβGa1−βAs material.     

Optical properties of methane to 288 GPa at 300 K

Optical properties of solid methane (CH₄) were studied at high pressure and room temperature using a diamond anvil cell. Reflectivity and transmission measurements were used to measure the refractive index to 288 GPa. Fabry-Perot interferometery was used to measure the sample thickness to 172 GPa. This data was fitted to the derived expression of thickness vs. pressure that was then used to calculate the thickness to 288 GPa. This in turn was combined with optical absorption experiments to obtain the absorption coefficient and hence the extinction coefficient k^*. From combined reflection and absorption experiments the refractive index n=n_s+ik^* was obtained. The index of refraction and the ratio of molar refraction to molar volume showed a large increase between 208 and 288 GPa. This behavior indicated that a phase transformation of insulator-semiconductor might have occurred in solid CH₄ by 288 GPa.     

Phase control of probe response in an open ladder type system with spontaneously generated coherence

The control role of the relative phase between the probe and driving fields on the gain and dispersion in an open three-level ladder atomic system with incoherent pumping and spontaneously generated coherence is investigated. It is shown that by adjusting the value of the relative phase, the switching from lasing with inversion to lasing without inversion (LWI) can be realized; high index of the refraction with zero absorption can be achieved. It is also found that when the driving field is on resonance, the dispersion curve versus the probe detuning is very similar to the gain curve if the relative phase corresponding to the dispersion advances π/2 than that corresponding to the gain. LWI gain from the open system is obviously larger than that from corresponding closed system. When the incoherent pumping is absent, the open system can get LWI gain, moreover the gain is larger than that when the incoherent pumping presents for suitable value of the relative phase, but the corresponding closed system exhibits only absorption. In addition, manipulation effects of atomic exit and ratio of the injection rates on phase dependent gain are also analyzed.     

Two-photon recording of microholograms in photopolymer materials with new cationic thioxanthone photoinitiators

We have demonstrated two-photon induced recording of the microholograms at an arbitrary point within thick (∼100 μm) photopolymer material using photoinitiators on a basis of new cationic thioxanthone derivatives. Such material provides high values of refractive index change Δn = 4.8 × 10⁻³, and holographic recording sensitivity S = 1.2 cm/J. A nanosecond laser pulse at a wavelength of 532 nm was used for recording. For the selective on the depth reading of the microholograms the method of collinear heterodyning was applied.     

Optical properties of dye-doped zirconia films by spectroscopic ellipsometry

The optical properties of zirconia films doped with rhodamine 6G and oxazine 725 by the sol-gel process were investigated using spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). Accurate refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k were determined using a three-oscillator classical Lorentz model in the wavelength range of 300-800 nm. The derived refractive index of dye-doped films exhibited anomalous dispersion in the absorption region. Wavelength tunable output lasing action yellow and near-infrared wavelength region was achieved by DFB configuration using zirconia films doped with R6G and oxazine 725.     

非相干泵浦对原子系统位相相关吸收性质的影响

研究发现在具有真空诱导相干性的开放和封闭ladder 型原子系统中,探测场和驱动场之间相对位相对吸收性质有重要的调制作用,同时非相干泵浦对位相相关的吸收性质有显著的影响.在这两种系统中,通过调节非相干泵浦,可以实现从吸收到增益和从粒子数反转激光到无粒子数反转激光的转化,并可获得最大的无反转激光增益.但是,当非相干泵浦不存在时,对相对位相的任意值,在封闭系统中只出现吸收而不能得到无反转激光增益;然而在开放系统中,对于适当的相对位相值甚至可以产生比有非相干泵浦时更大的无反转激光增益.