Optical bistability from three-level atoms with the use of a coherent nonlinear mechanism

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Phys. Rev. B: Solid State; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.29.1297· OSTI ID:6408317

Mlynek, J; Mitschke, F; Deserno, R; Lange, W

Studies on optical bistability from coherently driven lambda-type three-level atoms in a Fabry-Perot resonator are reported. The nonlinear mechanism relies on transvese optical pumping and is due to population trapping in a coherent superposition of the ground-state sublevels. If,under appropriate conditions, a zero-field level-crossing resonance (Hanle resonance) occurs in the atomic system, the optical device is shown to display dispersive or absorptive bistability. The present theoretical studies are based on numerical solutions of the corresponding three-level Bloch equations in the presence of optical feedback. Experiments are performed on the D-1 line in a sodium-filled Fabry-Perot resonator using transverse optical Zeeman pumping of the (2)S-1/2 ground state. The measurements are found to be in fair agreement with the theoretical predictions from a simple model. 17 references.

• Research Organization: Hannover Universitaet, West Germany
• OSTI ID: 6408317
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B: Solid State; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Solid State; (United States) Vol. 29; ISSN PLRBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640302* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ALKALI METALS
ATOMS
BLOCH EQUATIONS
COHERENT RADIATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
ENERGY LEVELS
EQUATIONS
EQUIPMENT
GROUND STATES
METALS
NONLINEAR OPTICS
OPTICAL PUMPING
OPTICS
PUMPING
RADIATIONS
RESONATORS
SODIUM
ZEEMAN EFFECT