Objectively discerning Autler-Townes Splitting from Electromagnetically Induced Transparency

TL;DR

This paper introduces an objective statistical method using Akaike's information criterion to distinguish between Autler-Townes splitting and electromagnetically-induced transparency in experimental data, improving clarity in identifying the underlying physical phenomena.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, objective approach to differentiate ATS from EIT using statistical model selection, addressing the subjectivity in previous methods.

Findings

Successfully applied the method to superconducting circuit experiments.

Provided a clear criterion for distinguishing ATS from EIT.

Enhanced understanding of transparency phenomena in quantum systems.

Abstract

Autler-Townes splitting (ATS) and electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT) both yield transparency in an absorption profile, but only EIT yields strong transparency for a weak pump field due to Fano interference. Empirically discriminating EIT from ATS is important but so far has been subjective. We introduce an objective method, based on Akaike's information criterion, to test ATS vs. EIT from experimental data and determine which pertains. We apply our method to a recently reported induced-transparency experiment in superconducting circuit quantum electrodynamics.