Abstract

By applying a sequence of three pulses two-photon resonant with the 5S–5D transition in Rb vapor, we generate yoked superfluorescence (YSF) pulses¹ via the 5D–6P–5S channel that generate a stimulated superfluorescence photon echo (SSPE) on the 6P-5S transition. The first along k₁ and the second along k₂ separated by a subnanosecond interval τ creates a grating (with wave vector 2 [k₂ – k₁]) in the ground (5S) state. We argue that when a third pulse is applied along k₃ (which can be applied up to 30 ns later), an echo is generated along either k_PS − 2(k₂ − k_x), where ${\widehat{k}}_{PS}={\widehat{k}}_3$, by a yoked superfluorescence pulse at k_PS directed along k₃, which then interrogates the ground-state grating; or 2k₃ − 2(k₂ − k_t) as a yoked superfluorescence pulse along the same direction. Our detection system can not discriminate between the two directions.

© 1998 Optical Society of America