Phase-conjugation and self-oscillation with copropagating cross-polarized beams

Abstract

We present the result of an experiment on optical phase conjugation made with a probe beam propagating in the same direction as the forward pump beam but having an orthogonal polarization. Using the difference of polarization, we separate the reflected beam from the backward pump beam. Is is shown that the amplitude of the reflected beam is the sum of two components, one proportional to the conjugate of the probe and one proportional to the amplitude of the probe. The experiment is done in sodium vapor and reflectivities larger than 350% have been observed near the D 1 transition. Weaker reflectivities due to a less efficient optical pumping are obtained near the D 2 line. We also describe the characteristics of the cw oscillation that appears between the Na cell and a mirror.