Electromagnetically induced transparency in Rb-filled coated hollow-core photonic crystal fiber

Area of Science:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Materials Science
• Nanophotonics

Background:

• Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is a quantum interference effect that dramatically alters the optical properties of a medium.
• Photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) offer unique light-matter interaction possibilities due to their engineered structures.
• Kagome lattice PCFs provide large mode areas and enhanced interaction lengths for gas-filled applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the phenomenon of lambda-configuration electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a rubidium-filled kagome-structure hollow-coated-core photonic crystal fiber.
• To evaluate the impact of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating on the EIT linewidth.
• To explore the potential of such coated PCFs for enhanced optical phenomena and applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a kagome-structure hollow-coated-core photonic crystal fiber.
• Filling the fiber core with rubidium vapor.
• Experimental observation of lambda-configuration EIT and optical pumping using controlled laser fields.
• Characterization of the EIT linewidth and comparison between coated and uncoated fiber cores.

Main Results:

• Successful observation of lambda-configuration EIT and optical pumping in the rubidium-filled kagome PCF.
• Demonstration that a PDMS coating significantly reduces the EIT linewidth compared to an uncoated fiber.
• Measurement of a 6 MHz linewidth for the EIT, primarily limited by optical broadening effects.

Conclusions:

• The PDMS coating effectively narrows the EIT linewidth in rubidium-filled kagome PCFs.
• This work highlights the potential of coated kagome PCFs for advanced quantum optics and precision measurements.
• Further optimization of coating and fiber design could lead to even narrower linewidths and improved performance.