Multi-level cascaded electromagnetically induced transparency in cold atoms using an optical nanofibre interface

Abstract

Ultrathin optical fibres integrated into cold atom setups are proving to be ideal building blocks for atom-photon hybrid quantum networks. Such optical nanofibres (ONFs) can be used for the demonstration of nonlinear optics and quantum interference phenomena in atomic media. Here, we report on the observation of multilevel cascaded electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) using an optical nanofibre to interface cold 87Rb atoms. Intense evanescent fields can be achieved at ultralow probe (780 nm) and coupling (776 nm) powers when the beams propagate through the nanofibre. The observed multipeak transparency spectra of the probe beam could offer a method for simultaneously slowing down multiple wavelengths in an optical nanofibre or for generating ONF-guided entangled beams, showing the potential of such an atom-nanofibre system for quantum information. We also demonstrate all-optical-switching in the all-fibred system using the obtained EIT effect. © 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.