Nonlinear transmission through a tapered fiber in rubidium vapor

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that transmission through a tapered fiber in rubidium vapor exhibits nonlinear behavior dependent on incident power, enabling control of light transmission via a strong control beam.

Contribution

It introduces a method to control nonlinear transmission in tapered fibers using light, highlighting a new approach for optical modulation in atomic vapors.

Findings

Transmission decreases at high atomic densities due to atom accumulation.

Transmission is a nonlinear function of incident power.

A strong control beam can modulate weak probe beam transmission.

Abstract

Sub-wavelength diameter tapered optical fibers surrounded by rubidium vapor can undergo a substantial decrease in transmission at high atomic densities due to the accumulation of rubidium atoms on the surface of the fiber. Here we demonstrate the ability to control these changes in transmission using light guided within the taper. We observe transmission through a tapered fiber that is a nonlinear function of the incident power. This effect can also allow a strong control beam to change the transmission of a weak probe beam.