arXiv subjects

S. M. Hendrickson

Publications and source records attributed to S. M. Hendrickson.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2012

Micro-resonator based all-optical transistor

We present theoretical estimates for a high-speed, low-loss, all-optical transistor using a micro-resonator device, whose fields interact evanescently with Rubidium vapor. We use a four-level electromagnetically induced absorption scheme to couple the light fields of the transistor. We show results indicating that a weak control beam can switch a much stronger signal beam, with contrast of greater than 25 dB and loss less than 0.5 dB. The switching timescale is on the order of 100 ps.

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arXiv2012

All-Optical Switching Demonstration using Two-Photon Absorption and the Classical Zeno Effect

Low-contrast all-optical Zeno switching has been demonstrated in a silicon nitride microdisk resonator coupled to a hot atomic vapor. The device is based on the suppression of the field build-up within a microcavity due to non-degenerate two-photon absorption. This experiment used one beam in a resonator and one in free-space due to limitations related to device physics. These results suggest that a similar scheme with both beams resonant in the cavity would correspond to input power levels near 20 nW.

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arXiv2010

The role of pump coherence in two-photon interferometry

We use a parametric down-conversion source pumped by a short coherence-length continuous-wave (CW) diode laser to perform two-photon interferometry in an intermediate regime between the more familiar Franson-type experiments with a long coherence-length pump laser, and the short pulsed pump "time-bin" experiments pioneered by Gisin's group. The use of a time-bin-like Mach-Zehnder interferometer in the CW pumping beam induces coherence between certain two-photon amplitudes, while the CW nature of the experiment prevents the elimination of remaining incoherent ones. The experimental results highlight the role of pump coherence in two-photon interferometry.

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arXiv2010

Observation of two-photon absorption at low power levels using tapered optical fibers in rubidium vapor

Nonlinear optical effects can be enhanced in tapered optical fibers with diameters less than the wavelength of the propagating light. Here we report on the observation of two-photon absorption using tapered fibers in rubidium vapor at power levels of less than 150 nW. Transit-time broadening produces two-photon absorption spectra with sharp peaks that are very different from conventional line shapes.

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arXiv2009

Enhanced Two-Photon Absorption Using Entangled States and Small Mode Volumes

We calculate the rate of two-photon absorption for frequency entangled photons in a tapered optical fiber whose diameter is comparable to the wavelength of the light. The confinement of the electric field in the transverse direction increases the intensity associated with a single photon, while the two-photon absorption rate is further enhanced by the fact that the sum of the frequencies of the two photons is on resonance with the upper atomic state, even though each photon has a relatively broad linewidth. As a result, the photons are effectively confined in all three dimensions and the two-photon absorption rate for frequency-entangled photons in a tapered fiber was found to be comparable to that for unentangled photons in a microcavity with a small mode volume.

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arXiv2008

Nonlinear transmission through a tapered fiber in rubidium vapor

Sub-wavelength diameter tapered optical fibers surrounded by rubidium vapor can undergo a substantial decrease in transmission at high atomic densities due to the accumulation of rubidium atoms on the surface of the fiber. Here we demonstrate the ability to control these changes in transmission using light guided within the taper. We observe transmission through a tapered fiber that is a nonlinear function of the incident power. This effect can also allow a strong control beam to change the transmission of a weak probe beam.

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arXiv2008

Analysis of Enhanced Two-Photon Absorption in Tapered Optical Fibers

We analyze the rate of two-photon absorption in tapered optical fibers with diameters less than the wavelength of the incident light. The rate of two-photon absorption is shown to be enhanced due to the small mode volume of the tapered fiber and the relatively large overlap of the evanescent field with an atomic vapor that surrounds the tapered region. The two-photon absorption rate is optimized as a function of the diameter of the tapered region.

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arXiv2007

Microcavities Using Holey Fibers

Vacuum compatible microcavities consisting of microstructured holey fibers and separate end mirrors have been constructed and tested. These devices exhibit excellent transverse mode confinement and the ability to control the percentage of power guided outside of the fiber core. As a result, these devices may be a useful tool for enhancing the interaction between light and an atomic medium.

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arXiv2006

Optical Transparency Using Interference Between Two Modes of a Cavity

In electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT), the absorption of a probe beam is greatly reduced due to destructive interference between two dressed atomic states produced by a strong laser beam. Here we show that a similar reduction in the single-photon absorption rate can be achieved by tuning a probe beam to be halfway between the resonant frequencies of two modes of a cavity. This technique is expected to be useful in enhancing two-photon absorption while reducing losses due to single-photon scattering.

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