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Published October 1, 1983 | public
Journal Article Open

Observation of absorptive bistability with two-level atoms in a ring cavity

Abstract

Observations of steady-state hysteresis in absorptive bistability are reported for well-collimated atomic beams of sodium within a traveling-wave interferometer. The atomic medium approximates a system of homogeneously broadened "two-level" atoms, and effects due to standing waves are eliminated. The experiment thus represents the first demonstration of optical bistability under conditions that have been widely employed in theoretical models. Absolute measurements of switching intensities versus atomic cooperativity C are reported, and a preliminary comparison with Gaussian-beam theory is made.

Additional Information

©1983 The American Physical Society Received 23 May 1983 The contributions of P. D. Drummond to this work are gratefully acknowledged. Initial funding was provided by the Research Corporation and by the University of Texas at Austin. Continuing support is provided by the Venture Research Unit of British Petroleum North America, by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. NSF PHY-8211194, and by the Joint Services Electronics Program.

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August 22, 2023
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October 16, 2023