Degenerate four-wave mixing in atomic ytterbium

Abstract

We have performed degenerate four-wave mixing experiments with cryogenically cooled atomic ytterbium. We use buffer-gas cooling to prepare high optical density samples at a temperature of 5 K, cold enough to resolve the different isotopes and hyperfine transitions. We observe four-wave mixing with cross-polarized pump and probe beams. The four-wave mixing is strongly enhanced when the laser is closely detuned from the S01(F=1/2)→P11(F′=1/2) transition of the Yb171 (I=1/2) isotope.