Dynamical propagation and all-optical switching in a ladder-type three-level system under the influence of spontaneously generated coherence

Abstract

We investigate the dynamical of pulse propagation and all-optical switching via a spontaneously generated coherence (SGC) in a three-level ladder-type atomic medium driven by a coupling field under the presence of incoherent pumping. Results show that the SGC causes modulations at the leading edge of the pulse envelope shape. These modulations increase with the together growth of SGC and distance. Furthermore, it is shown that the continuous-wave input probe field is switched ON or OFF by periodically modulating the coupling field. The spontaneously generated coherence has a strong effect on switching efficiency and switching pulse shape. The proposed scheme may have applications in the design of optical switching and optical gain devices in optical telecommunications.