Six-wave Mixing Signals Research Articles

Experimental research on specially optical bistability based on atomic ensemble

Optical bistability (OB) phenomenon based on electromagnetic induced transparency has received widespread attention from researchers due to its good application prospects in ultrafast all-optical switches, high-speed all-optical exchange devices, optical storage, etc. In this paper, OB is realized in a thermal atomic ensemble by a probe transmission signal and a six-wave mixing signal. By adjusting the controllable parameters of the light field, such as the light field intensity, polarization state, incident angle of the light etc, the OB laws of related signal are discovered, analyzed, and summarized. These results will have potential application value in OB devices and signal processing.

Simultaneous three-wave and six-wave mixing of microwave and optical fields in an atomic medium.

We experimentally investigate near-infrared optical field generation through simultaneous three-wave mixing (TWM) and six-wave mixing (SWM) processes in room-temperature 85Rb atoms. The nonlinear processes are induced using three hyperfine levels in the D1 manifold, which cyclically interact with pump optical fields and an idler microwave field. The simultaneous appearance of TWM and SWM signals in discrete frequency channels is made possible by breaking the three-photon resonance condition. This gives rise to coherent population oscillations (CPO), which are observed experimentally. We explain through our theoretical model the role of CPO in the generation of the SWM signal and its enhancement due to parametric coupling with the input seed field in contrast to the TWM signal. Our experiment proves that a single tone microwave can be converted to multiple optical frequency channels. The simultaneous existence of TWM and SWM processes can potentially enable various types of amplification to be achieved with a single neutral atom transducer platform.

Ultrafast multidimensional spectroscopy with field resolution and noncollinear geometry at mid-infrared frequencies

Energetic correlations and their dynamics govern the fundamental properties of condensed matter materials. Ultrafast multidimensional spectroscopy in the mid infrared is an advanced technique to study such coherent low-energy dynamics. The intrinsic many-body phenomena in functional solid-state materials, in particular few-layer samples, remain widely unexplored to this date, because complex and weak sample responses demand versatile and sensitive detection. Here, we present a novel setup for ultrafast multidimensional spectroscopy with noncollinear geometry and complete field resolution in the 15–40 THz range. Electric fields up to few-100 kV cm−1 drive coherent dynamics in a perturbative regime, and an advanced modulation scheme allows to detect nonlinear signals down to a few tens of V cm−1 entirely background-free with high sensitivity and full control over the geometric phase-matching conditions. Our system aims at the investigation of correlations and many-body interactions in condensed matter systems at low energy. Benchmark measurements on bulk indium antimonide reveal a strong six-wave mixing signal and map ultra-fast changes of the band structure with access to amplitude and phase information. Our results pave the way towards the investigation of functional thin film materials and few-layer samples.

Interference patterns of vortex beams based on photonic band gap structure.

We experimentally observe a vortex six-wave mixing (SWM), namely, enhanced four-wave mixing (FWM), signal with its orbital angular momentum transferred from a vortex probe via a photonic band gap (PBG) structure in a hot rubidium vapor cell. By analyzing spatial images and interference patterns, on the one hand, we demonstrate spatial shift and splitting of the images as well as shift of phase singularity for the probe transmission signal under the nonlinear phase of different dressing fields; on the other hand, we observe defocusing and shift of the images as well as shift of phase singularity for the reflected vortex SWM signal by scanning the frequency detuning of a related field. Moreover, we find the interference patterns of the vortex probe can be switched from parallel shape to spiral shape by changing its incident angle. Also, we further research the spiral interference patterns of the transmitted signal by scanning the probe detuning, observing that the number of forks changes with the detuning. We consider the transmitted signal as a combined beam of the linear probe and nonlinear FWM, which are separated under Kerr effect. It is the separation that causes the fork number to change with probe detuning. Our studies are useful for better understanding and manipulation of optical vortices and have wide applications in quantum communication and information processing.

Multi-contact switch using double-dressing regularity of probe, fluorescence, and six-wave mixing in a Rydberg atom.

In this paper, we study the realization of a multi-contact switch using the double-dressing regularity of probe, fluorescence, and six-wave mixing signals in a five-level 85Rb atomic system. For the first time, we compare the dressing regularity of Rydberg states by observing electromagnetically induced transparency and signals. With the scanning probe and dressing fields, both large and small line shifts in signals are observed. The small line shifts are induced by double-dressed line shifts. Also, the big line shifts result from the Rydberg dressing. In addition, with an increase in the principal quantum number n of the Rydberg state, all the signals become weaker, while the line shifts of the signals become enhanced. Using the regularity in line shifts of the signals and an acoustic optical modulator to modulate the frequency detuning, we can realize a multi-contact switch action and fast conversion between different contacts.

Parametric amplification of Rydberg six- and eight-wave mixing processes

We study the parametric amplification of electromagnetically induced transparency-assisted Rydberg six- and eight-wave mixing signals through a cascaded nonlinear optical process in a hot rubidium atomic ensemble both theoretically and experimentally. The shift of the resonant frequency (induced by the Rydberg–Rydberg interaction) of parametrically amplified six-wave mixing signal is observed. Moreover, the interplays between the dressing effects and Rydberg–Rydberg interactions in parametrically amplified multiwave mixing signals are investigated. The linear amplification of Rydberg multiwave mixing processes with multichannel nature acts against the suppression caused by Rydberg–Rydberg interaction and dressing effect.

Modulated vortex six-wave mixing.

We have experimentally generated a vortex six-wave mixing (SWM) signal via a photonic band gap structure in a hot atomic ensemble. The output SWM carrying orbital angular momentum, transferred from a probe beam, has the interaction with the nonlinear effect in the multilevel atomic system. Our results show that a spatial SWM image can be modulated by the detunings and intensities of the related generating fields. Also, the nonreciprocal feature of the SWM signal is demonstrated. Such characteristics can potentially be used in information processing.

Isolated Ground-State Vibrational Coherence Measured by Fifth-Order Single-Shot Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy.

Vibrations play a critical role in many photochemical and photophysical processes in which excitations reside on the electronically excited state. However, difficulty in assigning signals from spectroscopic measurements uniquely to a specific electronic state, ground or otherwise, has exposed limitations to their physical interpretation. Here, we demonstrate the selective excitation of vibrational coherences on the ground electronic state through impulsive Raman scattering, whose weak fifth-order signal is resonantly enhanced by coupling to strong electronic transitions. The six-wave mixing signals measured using this technique are free of lower-order cascades and represent correlations between zero-quantum vibrational coherences in the ground state and single-quantum coherences between the ground and electronic states. We believe that this technique has the potential to shed much-needed insight onto some of the mysteries regarding the origin of long-lived coherences observed in photosynthetic and other coupled chromophore systems.

Rydberg six-wave mixing process

We experimentally and theoretically investigate the Rydberg six-wave mixing (SWM) process in 85Rb atomic vapor. Through comparing the center frequency positions of resonant Rydberg SWM signals with different atomic densities, atomic levels induced by van der Waals interaction are observed. Meanwhile, such SWM process which is sensitive to blockade can be modulated by the self-dressing effect and/or external dressing effect. In addition, the Rydberg eight-wave mixing process can be obtained if the power of the external dressing field is low. Such blockaded multi-wave mixing process has potential applications in multi-channel quantum information.

Multidimensional resonance Raman spectroscopy by six-wave mixing in the deep UV.

Two-dimensional (2D) resonance Raman spectroscopies hold great potential for uncovering photoinduced relaxation processes in molecules but are not yet widely applied because of technical challenges. Here, we describe a newly developed 2D resonance Raman experiment operational at the third-harmonic of a Titanium-Sapphire laser. High-sensitivity and rapid data acquisition are achieved by combining spectral interferometry with a background-free (six-pulse) laser beam geometry. The third-harmonic laser pulses are generated in a filament produced by the fundamental and second-harmonic pulses in neon gas at pressures up to 35 atm. The capabilities of the setup are demonstrated by probing ground-state wavepacket motions in triiodide. The information provided by the experiment is explored with two different representations of the signal. In one representation, Fourier transforms are carried out with respect to the two experimentally controlled delay times to obtain a 2D Raman spectrum. Further insights are derived in a second representation by dispersing the signal pulse in a spectrometer. It is shown that, as in traditional pump-probe experiments, the six-wave mixing signal spectrum encodes the wavepacket's position by way of the (time-evolving) emission frequency. Anharmonicity additionally induces dynamics in the vibrational resonance frequency. In all cases, the experimental signals are compared to model calculations based on a cumulant expansion approach. This study suggests that multi-dimensional resonance Raman spectroscopies conducted on systems with Franck-Condon active modes are fairly immune to many of the technical issues that challenge off-resonant 2D Raman spectroscopies (e.g., third-order cascades) and photon-echo experiments in the deep UV (e.g., coherence spikes). The development of higher-order nonlinear spectroscopies operational in the deep UV is motivated by studies of biological systems and elementary organic photochemistries.

Parametrically Amplified Bright-state Polariton of Four- and Six-wave Mixing in an Optical Ring Cavity

We report experimental studies of bright-state polaritons of four-wave mixing (FWM) and six-wave mixing (SWM) signals through cascade nonlinear optical parametric amplification processes in an atom-cavity composite system for the first time. Also, the coexisting cavity transmission modes of parametrically amplified FWM and SWM signals are observed. Finally, electromagnetically induced absorption by the FWM cavity modes in the probe beam is investigated. The investigations can find potential applications in multi-channel narrow-band long-distance quantum communication.

Simple Recipes for Separating Excited-State Absorption and Cascading Signals by Polarization-Sensitive Measurements

The dependence of four-wave mixing and six-wave mixing signals on the polarization of the laser pulses is analyzed. Assuming that the dipole moments of the electronic transitions are not all parallel, we show that the excited-state absorption signal can be separated from the total pump-probe signal by two measurements with different polarizations of the pump and probe pulses. We show, furthermore, that cascading (third-order) signals can be separated from the fifth-order signal by two polarization-sensitive six-wave mixing measurements. We provide simple explicit formulas that express the excited-state absorption and cascading contributions, respectively, in terms of polarization-sensitive signals.

Controllable ultra-narrow fluorescence and six-wave mixing under double electromagnetically induced transparency

We report the first observation of six-wave mixing (SWM) and fluorescence signals in an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) window. Several remarkable advantages are described. First, multiple bright and dark states are simultaneously observed due to enhancement or suppression of the SWM signal. Second, ultra-narrow fluorescence, much narrower than the EIT window, is experimentally obtained. Third, the ultra-narrow fluorescence can also generate Autler–Townes splitting on scanning the coupling beam. Fourth, a double-peak EIT window is obtained using the nest-dressing scheme. Such studies concerning SWM and fluorescence have applications in optical switching, multi-channel communication and narrowband and long-range quantum communication.

Controllable Multiwave Mixing Talbot Effect

We theoretically study the Talbot effects resulted from the four-wave mixing and six-wave mixing signals, which are periodically modulated due to the coherence control effect. Corresponding to different dressing states, the enhancement and suppression conditions that will affect the properties of the multiwave mixing signals are also discussed in detail. Such proposal can be useful in all-optical-controlled pattern formation and propagation of light.

Observation of dressed odd-order multi-wave mixing in five-level atomic medium

By selectively blocking specific laser beams, we investigate coexisting seven distinguishable dressed odd-order multi-wave mixing (MWM) signals in a K-type five-level atomic system. We demonstrate that the enhancement and suppression of dressed four-wave mixing (FWM) signal can be directly detected by scanning the dressing field instead of the probe field. We also study the temporal and spatial interference between two FWM signals. Surprisingly, the pure-suppression of six-wave mixing signal has been shifted far away from resonance by atomic velocity component. Moreover, the interactions among six MWM signals have been studied.

Enhancement and suppression of two coexisting six-wave-mixing processes

The enhancement and suppression of the two coexisting six-wave mixing (SWM) processes via atomic coherence have been observed. In the presence of mutual dressing between two SWM signals, the self-dressing effect causes the Autler-Townes (AT) splitting of the SWM signals and the external-dressing effect makes the SWM signals enhanced or suppressed. In addition, the power dependencies of the enhancement and suppression of SWM processes are studied. Theoretical calculations are carried out, which are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Enhanced or suppressed six-wave mixing in a five-level atomic system

We show the enhancement and suppression of a six-wave mixing (SWM) signal in the electromagnetically induced transparency in a five-level 85Rb atomic system. The results show the Autler—Townes splitting and the enhancement or suppression of SWM, which are caused respectively by a self-dressing effect and by an external dressing effect in the presence of mutual dressing between two SWM signals. In addition, we observe the polarization dependence of the enhancement and suppression of the SWM signals.

Interplay of Coexisting Odd-Order Wave Mixings in a Five-Level Atomic System

We experimentally investigate the interplay between two coexisting six-wave mixing (SWM) signals and the interference between coexisting four-wave mixing (FWM) and SWM signals in a five-level atomic system of 85Rb. When two electromagnetically induced transparency windows gradually overlap in frequency, the competition between these two SWM signals arises. Moreover, we report the experimental result which shows that the temporal interference with femtosecond time scales between FWM and SWM signals.

Four-wave mixing and six-wave mixing in a four-level confined atomic system

We have investigated coexisting four-wave mixing and six-wave mixing (SWM) in ultra-thin, micrometre and long vapour cells. There exists competition between Dicke-narrowing features and polarization interference in the micrometre cell. The oscillation behaviour of SWM signal intensities and linewidths results from destructive interference. With a larger destructive interference, the SWM signal in ultra-thin cells shows a narrow spectrum, in contrast to the long cell case. Due to the Dicke-narrowing features, a narrow spectrum can be obtained, and such spectra can be used for high precision measurements and metrological standards.

Controlling four-wave mixing and six-wave mixing in a multi-Zeeman-sublevel atomic system with electromagnetically induced transparency

We theoretically investigate the dually dressed electromagnetically induced transparency, and the multidressed four-wave mixing (FWM) and six-wave mixing (SWM) processes in an inverted-$Y$-type atomic system with Zeeman sublevels. The results show that the Zeeman degeneracy of the dark states can be lifted by the dressing field as its intensity is increased. Moreover, the derived analytical expressions indicate that one can, for example, selectively create secondary dark states on the multi-Zeeman-sublevel dark states (by tuning the coupling field), distinguish two different types of dark states generated in two FWM processes (by properly controlling the coupling field intensity), and selectively enhance multi-FWM signals coming from various paths consisting of split Zeeman sublevels (by tuning the dressing field). The SWM signals can be either enhanced or suppressed by controlling the dressing field.