Propagation of Light in an Ensemble of "3+1"-Level Atoms

Abstract

We study the propagation of a quantum probe light in an ensemble of "3+1"-level atoms when the atoms are coupled to two other classical control fields. First we calculate the dispersion properties, such as susceptibility and group velocity, of the probe light within such an atomic medium under the case of three-photon resonance via the dynamical algebra method of collective atomic excitations. Then we calculate the dispersion of the probe light not only under the case that two classical control fields have the same detunings to the relative atomic transitions but also under the case that they have the different detunings. Our results show in both cases the phenomenon of electromagnetically induced transparency can accur. Especially use the second case, we can find two transparency windows for the probe light.