Hannover 2010 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 1: Quantum Effects: Light Scattering and Propagation I / Interference and Correlations I

Q 1.7: Talk

Monday, March 8, 2010, 15:30–15:45, A 310

Phase-controlled pulse propagation in media with cross coupling of electric and magnetic probe field component — •Robert Fleischhaker and Jörg Evers — Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg, Germany

Recently, quantum optical systems interacting with both the electric and the magnetic component of a probe beam have received considerable interest as a candidate for materials with a negative index of refraction [1]. In addition to a large medium density, a cross coupling of electric and magnetic field component was proposed to enhance the inherently weak magnetic response of the medium [2].

Here, we discuss light propagation dynamics in media with such a cross coupling independent of negative refraction and at much lower densities [3]. First, we derive and solve the wave equations for a probe pulse for general medium response coefficients. Then, we apply these results to a specific atomic example system in which cross couplings are induced by additional control fields. We show that the cross-couplings render the propagation dynamics sensitive to the relative phase of the additional fields, and this phase dependence enables one to control the pulse during its propagation through the medium. Our results demonstrate that the magnetic field component of a probe beam can crucially influence the system dynamics already at experimentally accessible parameter ranges in dilute vapors.

[1] J. Kästel et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 073602 (2007)

[2] J. B. Pendry, Science 306, 1353 (2004)

[3] R. Fleischhaker and J. Evers, Phys. Rev. A 80, 063816 (2009)