Propagation of two short laser pulse trains in a $\Lambda$-type three-level medium under conditions of electromagnetically induced transparency

Abstract

We investigate the dynamics of a pair of short laser pulse trains propagating in a medium consisting of three-level $\Lambda$-type atoms by numerically solving the Maxwell-Schr\"odinger equations for atoms and fields. By performing propagation calculations with different parameters, under conditions of electromagnetically induced transparency, we compare the propagation dynamics by a single pair of probe and coupling laser pulses and by probe and coupling laser pulse trains. We discuss the influence of the coupling pulse area, number of pulses, and detunings on the probe laser propagation and realization of electromagnetically induced transparency conditions, as well on the formation of a dark state.