Ultralow-power nonlinear optics using tapered optical fibers in metastable xenon

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates ultralow-power nonlinear optical effects using tapered optical fibers in metastable xenon gas, achieving nanowatt-level saturated absorption due to small mode area and long interaction length, with potential practical advantages over alkali vapors.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach for ultralow-power nonlinear optics using inert noble gases in tapered fibers, offering practical benefits over reactive alkali vapors.

Findings

Nanowatt-level saturated absorption achieved.

Small optical mode area enables ultralow-power nonlinearity.

Inert noble gases may provide practical advantages.

Abstract

We demonstrate nanowatt-level saturated absorption using a sub-wavelength diameter tapered optical fiber (TOF) suspended in a gas of metastable xenon atoms. This ultralow-power nonlinearity is enabled by a small optical mode area propagating over a relatively long distance through the Xe gas. The use of inert noble gasses in these kinds of TOF experiments may offer practical advantages over the use of reactive alkali vapors such as rubidium.