Arrayed and checkerboard optical waveguides controlled by the electromagnetically-induced transparency

TL;DR

This paper presents models of active optical waveguide systems controlled by electromagnetically-induced transparency, enabling tunable linear and nonlinear light propagation, including stable solitons, with potential advantages over passive systems.

Contribution

Introduces two novel active optical waveguide models utilizing EIT with doped atoms, offering enhanced control over light propagation and soliton formation.

Findings

Active waveguides allow tuning of propagation regimes.

Checkerboard system supports stable spatial solitons.

External fields enable control of nonlinear effects.

Abstract

We introduce two models of quasi-discrete optical systems: an array of waveguides doped by four-level N-type atoms, and a nonlinear checkerboard pattern, formed by doping with three-level atoms of the {\Lambda}-type. The dopant atoms are driven by external fields, to induce the effect of the electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT). These active systems offer advantages and addition degrees of freedom, in comparison with ordinary passive waveguiding systems. In the array of active waveguides, the driving field may adjust linear and nonlinear propagation regimes for a probe signal. The nonlinear checkerboard system supports the transmission of stable spatial solitons and their "fuzzy" counterparts, straight or oblique.