Abstract

The importance of lasing without inversion (LWI) in comparison with the use of nonlinear optical techniques and techniques based on high-intensity femtosecond light pulses to generate high-frequency coherent radiation is outlined. The original development and utilization of an experimental facility based on semiconductor diode lasers to study the fundamental aspects of LWI on the $D_1$ line of the Cs atom, which is rarely attempted, is described. This experimental facility is used to observe inversionless amplification on the $D_1$ line of the Cs atom by use of a Λ atomic scheme. A combination of EIT and broadband pumping of atoms from the lower to the upper level of the probe transition allowed the observation of the inversionless gain. Justification for the absence of inversion in the probe transition is provided. We report a single-pass inversionless gain of ≈11% with relatively weak incoherent pumping. The results show improvement over the previously reported inversionless gain observed in Na, Rb, and Cs, illustrating the potential advantage of using the $D_1$ line of Cs.

© 2001 Optical Society of America

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