Dispersion only stimulated photon echo

• Published in: Optics communications Vol. 232; no. 1; pp. 263 - 271
• Main Authors: Lavielle, V., Lorgeré, I., Le Gouët, J.-L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-03-2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Atomic and molecular physics; Atomic properties and interactions with photons; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Optical transient phenomena: quantum beats, photon echo, free-induction decay, dephasings and revivals, optical nutation and self-induced transparency; Optics; Photon interactions with atoms; Physics; Quantum optics; 42.40.−i; 42.50.Md; Photon echo; Bleaching; Solid state lasers; YAG laser; Optical transition; Quantum optics; Experimental device; Photodetectors; Experimental study; Sensor array; Photon-atom collisions
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2003.12.066

We investigate spectral properties of the photon echo stimulated by a saturating probe. When the probe pulse bleaches the spectral region close to resonance, the absorption component of the echo signal vanishes and the signal reduces to the dispersion component. Consequently a echo signal is observed under conditions that apparently violate causality. Our investigation is based on a multi-directional photon echo process where spectral and angular coordinates are connected. Spectral profiles are obtained in a single shot along the space coordinate of a photodetector array. Experimental demonstration is performed in a Tm
3+:YAG crystal. Data are successfully compared with theory.