https://doi.org/10.1007/s100530050083
Nonlinear diffraction due to the transient polarization in a thin film of atomic gases*
Department of Physics, State University of New York at Buffalo,
Buffalo, New York 14260-1500, USA
Corresponding author: a dllin@acsu.buffalo.edu
Received:
3
July
1997
Accepted:
5
December
1997
Published online: 15 February 1998
Nonlinear optical response of a thin layer of rarefied atomic vapor is examined by taking into account the atomic motion as well as collisions with the cell walls. Extraordinary pattern of self-diffraction spectrum due to the transient polarization is predicted. It is shown that the spectra are Doppler free and depend strongly upon the vapor thickness. A new possibility of signal enhancement is revealed and a simple device is suggested to enhance greatly the nonlinear reflection signal from a resonant vapor layer.
PACS: 32.70.Jz: – Line shapes, widths, and shifts / 42.40.Lx: – Diffraction efficiency, resolution, and other hologram characteristics / 42.25.Gy: – Edge and boundary effects, reflection and refraction
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 1998
