Optica Open
Browse

Non-Hermitian optical scattering in cold atoms via four-wave mixing

Download (5.58 kB)
preprint
posted on 2025-04-08, 16:01 authored by Xiao Liu, M. Artoni, G. C. La Rocca, Jin-Hui Wu
Nonlinear effects could play a crucial role in addressing optical nonreciprocal behaviors in scattering media. Such behaviors are, however, typically observed within a single transmission channel and predominantly in media with fixed optical structures, which inherently restrict the tunability of a nonreciprocal response. We suggest to combine the (intrinsic) nonlinearities of a coherent multi-level medium with a tailored driving geometry that relies on two phase-mismatched standing-wave (SW) beams. This combination is essential for creating extra scattering channels over which, in addition, fully tunable optical nonreciprocal reflection can be attained. Our general approach is here adapted to four-level double-$\Lambda$ atoms that are found to exhibit distinct forms of nonreciprocal multi-channel scattering and quite sensitive to easily tunable parameters of two SW driving beams. The numerical results we present offer valuable insights into the field of non-Hermitian optical scattering and arise indeed from the interplay of interference among scattering processes and Bragg reflection.

History

Disclaimer

This arXiv metadata record was not reviewed or approved by, nor does it necessarily express or reflect the policies or opinions of, arXiv.

Usage metrics

    Categories

    Licence

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC