Four-wave mixing of optical and microwave fields

Area of Science:

• Atomic physics
• Quantum optics
• Nonlinear optics

Background:

• Degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) is a nonlinear optical process.
• Atomic ground-state Zeeman coherence involves spin states in an atomic vapor.
• Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) is crucial for light-matter interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel DFWM process involving optical and microwave fields.
• To investigate the role of atomic ground-state Zeeman coherence in this process.
• To explore interactions between fields differing by five orders of magnitude in frequency.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing warm rubidium vapor as the atomic medium.
• Inducing and maintaining atomic ground-state Zeeman coherence with a microwave field.
• Employing an optical field to interact with the atomic coherence.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated degenerate four-wave mixing.
• Observed the process driven by stimulated Raman scattering.
• Showcased interaction between optical and microwave fields with a large frequency difference.

Conclusions:

• The study establishes a new pathway for DFWM using disparate frequency fields.
• Atomic Zeeman coherence is key to mediating this nonlinear optical process.
• This work opens possibilities for hybrid quantum systems and frequency conversion.