Ultralow-power nonlinear optics using tapered optical fibers in metastable xenon

摘要

We demonstrate nanowatt-level saturated absorption using a sub-wavelengthdiameter tapered optical fiber (TOF) suspended in a gas of metastable xenonatoms. This ultralow-power nonlinearity is enabled by a small optical mode areapropagating over a relatively long distance through the Xe gas. The use ofinert noble gasses in these kinds of TOF experiments may offer practicaladvantages over the use of reactive alkali vapors such as rubidium.