All-optical grating in a V+Ξ configuration using a Rydberg state

Abstract

We present a theoretical model for controlling the Fraunhofer diffraction patterns of a weak probe field passing through an atomic vapor. In this model a Rydberg state is taken as the uppermost level. The proposed system contains a combined two well-known $V$- and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Xi}}$-type configurations which are exposed to a weak probe field and two control fields. The position-dependent feature of the atom-field interaction leads to the periodic transmission spectrum, and various Fraunhofer diffraction patterns are obtained due to the all-optical grating. Also, it is shown that the intensity of the higher-order diffraction can be controlled by tuning the coupling field intensity and the interaction length.