Optical control of resonant light transmission for an atom-cavity system

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates optical control of light transmission in an atom-cavity system using intersecting resonant beams to modulate cavity transmission, enabling switching effects with potential applications in quantum optics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for controlling cavity transmission via transverse resonant beams in an atom-cavity system, showing both steady-state and transient effects.

Findings

Cavity transmission can be suppressed or enhanced by intersecting resonant beams.

Both steady state and transient responses are experimentally characterized.

The mechanism involves atomic state coupling affecting cavity mode transmission.

Abstract

We demonstrate the manipulation of transmitted light through an optical Fabry-Perot cavity, built around a spectroscopy cell containing enriched rubidium vapor. Light resonant with the $^{87}$Rb D$_{2}$ ($F=2/F=1$) $\leftrightarrow F'$ manifold, is controlled by transverse intersection of the cavity mode by another resonant light beam. The cavity transmission can be suppressed or enhanced depending on the coupling of atomic states due to the intersecting beams. The extreme manifestation of cavity mode control is the precipitious destruction (negative logic switching) or buildup (positive logic switching) of the transmitted light intensity, on intersection of the transverse control beam with the cavity mode. Both the steady state and transient response are experimentally investigated. The mechanism behind the change in cavity transmission is discussed in brief.