R. Corbalán

Lasing without inversion

This review paper is devoted to amplification and lasing without population inversion involving atomic transitions in gas media. We start by discussing the main motivation in inversionless lasing research, namely, the generation of short-wavelength laser light. Then, we review the basic physics of inversionless lasing in two-level and, eventually, in three- and multilevel atomic configurations. Finally, we summarize the current state of the art of LWI experiments and indicate the main difficulties with respect to short-wavelength laser generation.

Second harmonic generation in a photonic crystal

Phase matched second harmonic generation is observed experimentally in a centrosymmetric crystalline lattice of dielectric spheres of optical dimensions. The inversion symmetry is broken locally at the surface of each sphere in such a way that the scattered second harmonic light interferes constructively leading to a nonvanishing macroscopic field. Phase matching of the fundamental and second harmonic waves in such periodic lattice is observed to be naturally provided by the bending of the photondispersion curve at the edge of the Bragg reflection band of a given set of lattice planes.

Polarization phase gate with a tripod atomic system

We analyze the nonlinear optical response of a four-level atomic system driven into a tripod configuration. The large cross-Kerr nonlinearities that occur in such a system are shown to produce nonlinear phase shifts of order

Second-harmonic generation in local modes of a truncated periodic structure.

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Three-level atom optics via the tunneling interaction

. Such a substantial shift may be observed in a cold atomic gas in a magneto-optical trap where it could be feasibly exploited towards the realization of a polarization quantum phase gate. The experimental feasibility of such a gate is here examined in detail.

Enhancement of second harmonic generation in a periodic structure with a defect

We present an experimental study of the generation of second-harmonic light in a one-dimensional periodic structure truncated by the introduction of a defect in the central period. We observed an enhancement of the nonlinear interaction in the vicinity of the defect when the second-harmonic wave was excited for modes within the forbidden zone or stop band. We also observed an enhancement near the band edge, where the group velocity approaches zero. Second-harmonic generation is completely suppressed for local modes within the forbidden band other than the defect mode.

Three level atom optics in dipole traps and waveguides

Three-level atom optics is introduced as a simple, efficient, and robust method to coherently manipulate and transport neutral atoms. The tunneling interaction among three trapped states allows us to realize the spatial analog of the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage, coherent population trapping, and electromagnetically induced transparency techniques and offers a wide range of possible applications. We investigate an implementation in optical microtrap arrays and show that under realistic parameters the coherent manipulation and transfer of neutral atoms among dipole traps could be realized in the millisecond range.

Influence of pump coherence on the dynamic behavior of a laser

Abstract A new mechanism to enhance second harmonic generation is proposed. A numerical solution of the inhomogeneous wave equation in an interrupted periodic laminar structure indicates that the high energy density of a local mode within the forbidden zone may greatly enhance the nonlinear interaction. The proper phase relationship between the fundamental and second harmonic waves is maintained by the periodic distribution of linear dielectric material.

Inversionless amplification in three-level systems: dressed states quantum interference and quantum-jump analyses

An analogy is explored between a setup of three atomic traps coupled via tunneling and an internal atomic three-level system interacting with two laser fields. Within this scenario we describe a STIRAP like process which allows to move an atom between the ground states of two trapping potentials and analyze its robustness. This analogy is extended to other robust and coherent transport schemes and to systems of more than a single atom. Finally it is applied to manipulate external degrees of freedom of atomic wave packets propagating in waveguides.

Pseudo-metal reflection at the interface between a linear and a nonlinear material

The dynamic behavior of a coherently pumped single-mode unidirectional ring laser with a homogeneously broadened three-level active medium is studied. Our formulation is based on a set often real equations of the plane-wave, mean-field Maxwell–Bloch type. The instability domain in the main control parameters space is determined. Our numerical study of these equations for a parameter range of the type explored in the recent experiments by Weiss Brock [ Phys. Rev. Lett.57, 2804 ( 1986)] reveals some similarities, but striking differences between our theoretical predictions and their experimental observations are also noted.