Probe polarization on absorption in a V-type medium with vacuum-induced interference

Abstract

The absorption of a weak probe beam for a V-type atom with a closely spaced doublet is studied under conditions such that vacuum-induced interference among decay channels is important. It is shown how the probe polarization as well as the vacuum-induced interference influence the absorption amplitude and spectral structure. Comparing with similar models studied earlier, where probe polarization direction has not been taken into account, the present study shows that probe polarization has significant effects on the absorption spectra.