Interference-induced optical gain without population inversion in cold, trapped atoms

摘要

Continuous-wave (cw) optical gain of 1.3x10(-2) cm(-1) is obtained on a probe transition in a driven, three-level, V-type atomic system: The atoms exhibit no population inversion between the probe excited state and the dressed ground stares of the combined atom-drive Hamiltonian. This gain without population inversion is interpreted as direct evidence of quantum interference, arising from coherences established in the atom by the applied optical fields. Agreement with a simple four-level theoretical model is excellent. [S1050-2947(99)01306-2]. [References: 42]