Slow-light six-wave mixing at low light intensities

Direct generation of time-energy-entangled W triphotons in atomic vapor

Entangled multiphoton sources are essential for both fundamental tests of quantum foundations and building blocks of contemporary optical quantum technologies. While efforts over the past three decades have focused on creating multiphoton entanglement through multiplexing existing biphoton sources with linear optics and postselections, our work presents a groundbreaking approach. We observe genuine continuous-mode time-energy-entangled W-class triphotons with an unprecedented production rate directly generated through spontaneous six-wave mixing (SSWM) in a four-level triple-Λ atomic vapor cell. Using electromagnetically induced transparency and coherence control, our SSWM scheme allows versatile narrowband triphoton generation with advantageous properties, including long temporal coherence and controllable waveforms. This advancement is ideal for applications like long-distance quantum communications and information processing, bridging single photons and neutral atoms. Most importantly, our work establishes a reliable and efficient genuine triphoton source, facilitating accessible research on multiphoton entanglement.

Extraordinary Five-Wave Mixing in a Zinc Oxide Microwire on a Au Film

Coherent multiwave mixing is in demand for optical frequency conversion, imaging, quantum information science, etc., but has rarely been demonstrated in solid-state systems. Here, we observed three- and five-wave mixing (5WM) in a c-axis growth zinc oxide microwire on a Au film with picosecond pulses in the near-infrared region. An output 5WM of 4.7 × 10-7 μW, only 2-3 orders smaller than the three-wave mixing, is achieved when the excitation power is as low as 1.5 mW and the peak power density as weak as ∼107 W/cm2. The excitation power dependence of 5WM agrees well with the perturbation limit under the low intensity but exhibits a strong deviation at a high pumping power. This extraordinary behavior is attributed to the cooperative resonant enhancement effect when pumping in the near-infrared range. Our study offers a potential solid-state platform for on-chip multiwave mixing and quantum nonlinear optics, such as generating many-photon entangled states or the construction of photon-photon quantum logic gates.

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.

High-efficiency four-wave mixing beyond pure electromagnetically induced transparency treatment

We present a theoretical study of high-efficiency four-wave mixing (FWM) sum-frequency generation beyond a pure electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) technique in a five-level atomic system. In our FWM scheme, with the assistance of two Λ-type subsystems utilized to create EIT and Autler-Townes splitting (ATS), a synergetic mechanism of EIT and ATS, or a dual-ATS mechanism is induced. These novel mechanisms can have a significant impact on the FWM process in the optically thick medium, and the FWM efficiency can be several orders of magnitude larger than that obtained from the pure EIT method. This Letter opens up a new perspective for exploring enhanced quantum nonlinear optical phenomena.

Eight-wave mixing parametrical amplification

We investigate parametrically amplified eight-wave mixing (PA-EWM). The double dressed PA-four-wave mixing (PA-FWM) is the superposition of one PA-FWM process, two different PA-six-wave mixing (PA-SWM) processes (PA-SWM1 and PA-SWM2 with external dressing field 776nm and 795nm, respectively) and one PA-EWM process. When the phases among FWM, SWM1, SWM2 and EWM change from 0 to π, the double dressed PA-FWM could gradually satisfy the pure enhancement (all 0), partial enhancement and suppression (mixture of 0 and π), or pure suppression condition (all π). The outcomes of the investigation can potentially contribute to the development of multi-channel quantum information processing and high dimensional stereoscopic imaging.

High conversion efficiency in resonant four-wave mixing processes

We propose a new scheme of the resonant four-wave mixing (FWM) for the frequency up or down conversion, which is more efficient than the commonly-used scheme of the non-resonant FWM. In this new scheme, two control fields are spatially varied such that a probe field at the input can be converted to a signal field at the output. The efficiency of probe-to-signal energy conversion can be 90% at medium's optical depth of about 100. Our proposed scheme works for both the continuous-wave and pulse cases, and is flexible in choosing the control field intensity. This work provides a very useful tool in the nonlinear frequency conversion.

Vortex-based all-optical manipulation of stored light at low light levels

We exploit the giant cross-Kerr nonlinearity of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) system in ultracold atoms to implement vortex-based multimode manipulation of stored light at low light levels. Using image-bearing signal light fields with angular intensity profiles, sinusoidal grating structures with phase-only modulation can be azimuthally imprinted on the stored probe light field, where the nonlinear absorption loss can be ignored. Upon retrieval of the probe light, collinearly superimposed vortex modes can be generated in the far field. Considering the finite size of atomic gas, the Fraunhofer diffraction patterns of the retrieved probe fields and their spiral spectra are numerically investigated, where the diffracted vortex modes can be efficiently controlled by tuning the weak signal fields. Our studies not only exhibit a fundamental diffraction phenomenon with angular grating structures in EIT system, but also provide a fascinating opportunity to realize multidimensional quantum information processing for stored light in an all-optical manner.

Nonlinear optical memory for manipulation of orbital angular momentum of light

We report on the demonstration of a nonlinear optical memory (NOM) for storage and on-demand manipulation of orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light via higher-order nonlinear processes in cold cesium atoms. A spatially resolved phase-matching technique is used to select each order of the nonlinear susceptibility associated, respectively, with time-delayed four-, six-, and eight-wave mixing processes. For a specific configuration of the stored OAM of the incident beams, we demonstrated that the OAM of the retrieved beam can be manipulated according to the order of the nonlinear process chosen by the operator for reading out the NOM. This demonstration indicates new pathways for applications in classical and quantum information processing where OAM of light is used to encode optical information.

Analogy of transistor function with modulating photonic band gap in electromagnetically induced grating

Optical transistor is a device used to amplify and switch optical signals. Many researchers focus on replacing current computer components with optical equivalents, resulting in an optical digital computer system processing binary data. Electronic transistor is the fundamental building block of modern electronic devices. To replace electronic components with optical ones, an equivalent optical transistor is required. Here we compare the behavior of an optical transistor with the reflection from a photonic band gap structure in an electromagnetically induced transparency medium. A control signal is used to modulate the photonic band gap structure. Power variation of the control signal is used to provide an analogy between the reflection behavior caused by modulating the photonic band gap structure and the shifting of Q-point (Operation point) as well as amplification function of optical transistor. By means of the control signal, the switching function of optical transistor has also been realized. Such experimental schemes could have potential applications in making optical diode and optical transistor used in quantum information processing.

Coexistence of three-wave, four-wave, and five-wave mixing processes in a superconducting artificial atom

We present a theoretical study of multiwave mixing in a driven superconducting quantum qubit (artificial atom) with a cyclic Ξ-type three-level structure. We first show that three-wave mixing (3WM), four-wave mixing (4WM), and five-wave mixing (5WM) processes can coexist in the microwave regime in such an artificial system due to the absence of selection rules. Because of electromagnetically induced transparency suppression of linear absorption in a standard Ξ-type configuration, the generated 4WM is enhanced greatly and its efficiency can be as high as 0.1% for only a single artificial atom. We also show that Autler-Townes splitting occurs in the 3WM and 5WM spectra and quantum interference has a significant impact on the total signal intensity being a coherent superposition of these two signals.

Relationship between two- and three-photon coherence in a ladder-type atomic system

We investigated the relationship between two- and three-photon coherence in terms of the transition routes and coupling field intensities in a Doppler-broadened ladder-type atomic system for the 5S(1/2)-5P(3/2)-5D(5/2) transition in (87)Rb atoms. Three-photon electromagnetically induced absorption (TPEIA) due to three-photon coherence was observed in the only transition route that exhibited a dominant two-photon coherence effect. We showed that two-photon coherence is a necessary condition for three-photon coherence phenomena. A comparison of the relative magnitudes of the electromagnetically induced transparency and TPEIA as a function of the coupling field intensity revealed that the increase of three-photon coherence was faster than that of two-photon coherence. Considering three-photon coherence in a Doppler-broadened ladder-type three-level atomic system, the relation between two- and three-photon coherence was numerically calculated.

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.

Polarized linewidth-controllable double-trapping electromagnetically induced transparency spectra in a resonant plasmon nanocavity

Surface plasmons with ultrasmall optical mode volume and strong near field enhancement can be used to realize nanoscale light-matter interaction. Combining surface plasmons with the quantum system provides the possibility of nanoscale realization of important quantum optical phenomena, including the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), which has many applications in nonlinear quantum optics and quantum information processing. Here, using a custom-designed resonant plasmon nanocavity, we demonstrate polarized position-dependent linewidth-controllable EIT spectra at the nanoscale. We analytically obtain the double coherent population trapping conditions in a double-Λ quantum system with crossing damping, which give two transparent points in the EIT spectra. The linewidths of the three peaks are extremely sensitive to the level spacing of the excited states, the Rabi frequencies and detunings of pump fields, and the Purcell factors. In particular the linewidth of the central peak is exceptionally narrow. The hybrid system may have potential applications in ultra-compact plasmon-quantum devices.

Delayed four- and six-wave mixing in a coherently prepared atomic ensemble

We report on the simultaneous observation, by delayed Bragg diffraction, of four- and six-wave mixing processes in a coherently prepared atomic ensemble consisting of cold cesium atoms. For each diffracted order, we observe different temporal pulse shapes and dependencies with the intensities of the exciting fields, evidencing the different mechanisms involved in each process. The various observations are well described by a simplified analytical theory, which considers the atomic system as an ensemble of three-level atoms in Λ configuration.

Efficient frequency conversion induced by quantum constructive interference

We demonstrate in experiment an efficient cw four-wave mixing scheme with maximal intensity conversion efficiency up to 73% in a double-Λ system of hot rubidium atoms. Relevant theoretical analysis shows that this high conversion efficiency benefits greatly from the constructive interference between two four-wave mixing channels, characterized by two different space-dependent phases.

Double photonic bandgaps dynamically induced in a tripod system of cold atoms

A tripod atomic system driven by two standing-wave fields (a coupling and a driving) is explored to generate tunable double photonic bandgaps in the regime of electromagnetically induced transparency. Both photonic bandgaps depend critically on frequency detunings, spatial periodicities, and initial phases of the two standing-wave fields. When the coupling and driving detunings are very close, a small fluctuation of one standing-wave field may demolish both photonic bandgaps. If the two detunings are greatly different, however, each standing-wave field determines only one photonic bandgap in a less sensitive way. Dynamic generation and elimination of a pair of photonic bandgaps shown here may be exploited toward the end of simultaneous manipulation of two weak light signals even at the single-photon level.

Electromagnetically induced transparency on GaAs quantum well to observe hole spin dephasing

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) was observed with transient optical response of exciton correlation in GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well structure. Decoherence of EIT was increased with temperature (12-60 K), which could be simulated by increasing non-radiation decay rate between coherently coupled ground states in Bloch equation for Lambda type three level. The non-radiation decay was mainly due to hole spin dephasing in the system for EIT via coulomb correlation. The hole spin dephasing rate was found with increasing lattice temperature and well accorded to the past results of time resolving method with n-doping material.

Opening four-wave mixing and six-wave mixing channels via dual electromagnetically induced transparency windows

Highly efficient four-wave mixing (FWM) and six-wave mixing (SWM) processes can coexist in a four-level Y-type atomic system due to atomic coherence. The simultaneously opened dual electromagnetically induced transparency windows in this four-level atomic system allow observation of these two nonlinear optical processes at the same time, which enables detailed studies of the interplay between the FWM and SWM processes. Three-photon and five-photon destructive interferences are also observed.

Observation of interference between four-wave mixing and six-wave mixing

We report generation of four-wave mixing enhanced by electromagnetically induced transparency and optical pumping in a ladder-type atomic system. When two pumping laser beams are used to form a conjugate small-angle static grating, both four-wave and six-wave mixing processes are shown to exist at the same time. Interference between these two nonlinear wave-mixing signals is experimentally demonstrated.

Generalized n-photon resonant 2n-wave mixing in an (n+1)-level system with phase-conjugate geometry

A generalized scheme for phase-conjugate resonant 2n-wave mixing, which has a high efficiency and is easy for phase matching, is proposed. As a new type of coherent laser spectroscopy this approach can be employed for studying highly excited atomic states or states with a high angular momentum. To demonstrate its feasibility we have studied the doubly excited autoionizing Rydberg states of Ba by phase-conjugate six-wave mixing, and have furthermore achieved eight-wave mixing in Na. This method may find wide application in related areas such as coherent transient spectroscopy, Autler-Townes spectroscopy and electromagnetically induced transparency. In particular, it may provide new insights into the nature of highly excited states.

Room-temperature slow light with semiconductor quantum-dot devices

We demonstrate room-temperature slow light that is electrically and optically controllable by using a quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) at zero and low bias below the transparency current. The absorption spectrum of the QD SOA exhibits a spectral dip with a corresponding group-index dispersion and group delay owing to coherent population oscillation caused by the interaction of pump and probe laser light near resonance of the first heavy-hole-conduction-state transition. At an optical pump power of approximately 0.3 mW inside the single-mode waveguide without current injection, a group-index change of 3.0 with a bandwidth of 2 GHz was measured. This group-index change can be controlled by injection of electrical current and by changing the optical pump power.