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arXiv · 1108.4730

High-order optical nonlinearity at low light levels

Joel A. Greenberg·Daniel J. Gauthier
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Abstract

We observe a nonlinear optical process in a gas of cold atoms that simultaneously displays the largest reported fifth-order nonlinear susceptibility χ^(5) = 1.9x10^{-12} (m/V)^4 and high transparency. The nonlinearity results from the simultaneous cooling and crystallization of the gas, and gives rise to efficient Bragg scattering in the form of six-wave-mixing at low-light-levels. For large atom-photon coupling strengths, the back-action of the scattered fields influences the light-matter dynamics. This system may have important applications in many-body physics, quantum information processing, and multidimensional soliton formation.

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Joel A. Greenberg, Daniel J. Gauthier. 2011-12-30. High-order optical nonlinearity at low light levels. https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075%2F98%2F24001

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