Two-Photon Cooperative Cascade Superfluorescence.
Abstract
We present a study of the time development of an ensemble or three-level atoms which have been put in a coherent superposition of their ground and excited states (of the same parity) by the application of a short two-photon resonant laser pulse. We worked with Cs vapor where these states are labeled 6 S sub 1/2 and 6 D sub 3/2. Following the laser excitation, the intermediate 6 P sub 1/2 was empty and the high gain on the 6 sub 3/2 - 6 P sub 1/2 transition allowed superfluorescence (SF) to develop. We observed SF both along and against the direction of the laser excitation pulse. Our working parameters ensured that the SF developed long after the application of the excitation so that parametric amplification processes were not present. We found that, contrary to intuition, SF developed first against the laser direction. We also found that SF was more intense in this backward direction. We also found that SF cascades all the way to the ground state and that quantum beats associated with the hyperfine splitting of the 6 P sub 1/2 state were present. In the forward direction radiation appeared simultaneously on both upper and lower transitions. In the presence of a transverse magnetic field we observed time-delayed second harmonic generation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 13, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA300806
Entities
People
- S. R. Hartmann
Organizations
- Columbia University