The double optical resonance spectrum for arbitrary pulse shapes

Abstract

A uniform asymptotic expression for the double optical resonance signal is obtained for arbitrary pulse shapes. The theory, which is applicable for resonant pump pulses with a total envelope area of greater than about 10 pi , predicts a multipeak structure for the double optical resonance spectrum. This is interpreted as arising from interference between probe excitation at two different parts of the pump pulse. Related phenomena have already been observed in similar, exact, calculations for specific pulse shapes.