Non-linear optics in cold $^{\mathrm{87}}$Rb atoms at ultralow powers via an optical nanofiber

ORAL

Abstract

Tight confinement of the evanescent field around subwavelength diameter optical nanofibers (ONF) presents a suitable tool for studying nonlinear optics in atomic media. Such ultrathin fibers integrated with cold atoms can also provide ideal building blocks for atom-photon hybrid quantum networks. Here, we study phenomena, e.g. Autler-Townes splitting (ATS) and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) using a \textasciitilde 350 nm diameter ONF surrounded by laser-cooled rubidium atoms. We use a near or on-resonance two-photon excitation process in a three-level ladder type configuration to observe the effects. The impact of the high intensity light field on the ground and intermediate atomic states is studied in terms of ATS [1]. Multilevel cascaded EIT is demonstrated and exploited to make an all-optical switch [2]. Power levels needed to observe these nonlinear effects are in the range of nanoWatts. Apart from their fundamental importance, these studies will be useful for fiber based quantum networks with Rydberg atoms. Reference: [1] R. Kumar, V. Gokhroo, K. Deasy, and S. Nic Chormaic, Phys. Rev. A 91, 053842 (2015) [2] R. Kumar, V. Gokhroo, and S. Nic Chormaic, New J. Phys. 17, 123012 (2015)

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Authors

  • Vandna Gokhroo

    Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Japan, Washington State University

  • Mike Smith

    University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, University of Guelph, TRIUMF, Colorado School of Mines, Simon Fraser University, University of Texas at Dallas, Washington State University, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Japan, Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia, School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv U., Cyclotron Institute and Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A\&M U., Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, U. Manitoba, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, U. British Columbia, TRIUMF, Vancouver, British Columbia, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Institut f{\"u}r Kernphysik, Westf{\"a}lische Wilhelms-Universit{\"a}t, M{\"u}nster, Germany, Simon Fraser U./TRIUMF, U. British Columbia/TRIUMF, MPIK/TRIUMF, U. Manitoba, U. Surrey, TRIUMF/U. British Columbia, U. Manitoba/TRIUMF, McGill U., Simon Fraser U., Queen Mary University of London, Harvard University, University of Lethbridge, Georgia Institute of Technology, St. Mary's University, University of Washington, University of Auckland, Central Washington University

  • Mike Smith

    University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, University of Guelph, TRIUMF, Colorado School of Mines, Simon Fraser University, University of Texas at Dallas, Washington State University, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Japan, Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia, School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv U., Cyclotron Institute and Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A\&M U., Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, U. Manitoba, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, U. British Columbia, TRIUMF, Vancouver, British Columbia, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Institut f{\"u}r Kernphysik, Westf{\"a}lische Wilhelms-Universit{\"a}t, M{\"u}nster, Germany, Simon Fraser U./TRIUMF, U. British Columbia/TRIUMF, MPIK/TRIUMF, U. Manitoba, U. Surrey, TRIUMF/U. British Columbia, U. Manitoba/TRIUMF, McGill U., Simon Fraser U., Queen Mary University of London, Harvard University, University of Lethbridge, Georgia Institute of Technology, St. Mary's University, University of Washington, University of Auckland, Central Washington University