Abstract
We present experimental evidence for novel quantum oscillators consisting of strongly driven potassium atoms contained in a highfinesse optical resonator. These oscillators are based on two-photon stimulated emission, making their behavior and properties significantly different from conventional lasers, but making them harder to realize. The multi-level structure of alkali atoms is ideally suited for realizing such an oscillator since it offers a wealth of scattering processes that display strong resonant enhancement. Two-photon amplification arises from laser-driven resonant scattering between magnetic hyperfine levels. A novel configuration using different states of polarization and an orthogonal beam geometry allows discrimination between the numerous gain mechanisms. This configuration also suppresses competing phase- matched wave-mixing processes, which is crucial to realize an ideal (phase-insensitive) two-photon amplifier.
© 1999 Optical Society of America
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