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Enhanced coherent optical effects in Ξ-shaped hybrid quantum-plasmonic systems

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Abstract

In this study, we investigate the coherent optical phenomena exhibited by a hybrid quantum-plasmonic system in Ξ configuration composed of four energy levels, featuring two closely spaced uppermost energy levels interacting with a weak probe field and a strong control field. The lower leg of Ξ system engages with the free-space vacuum, while the upper leg responds to interactions with surface plasmons. We reveal a significant transformation in the absorption and dispersion characteristics of this quantum system. This evolution is influenced by the interplay between quantum interference resulting from the presence of plasmonic nanostructures and the effects of incoherent pumping. In the absence of an incoherent pump field, we observe the emergence of multiple distinct absorption profiles, each containing optical transparency windows nestled amidst absorption spectral peaks. Introduction of an incoherent pump field leads to two well-defined symmetrical gain dips, each separated by a frequency corresponding to the dressed eigenstates of the system. This unique gain behavior persists whether or not population inversion occurs. We also show that these effects can be complemented with the existence of fast or slow light, expanding the range of optical phenomena that can be harnessed within this quantum system.

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Data availability statement

No data was used for the research in this article. The authors declare that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

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Acknowledgements

This project has received funding from the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT), Agreement No. S-PD-22-40.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Baltic Institute of Advanced Technology, Pilies St. 16-8, LT-01403, Vilnius, Lithuania

    Hamid R. Hamedi & Julius Ruseckas

  2. School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens, 157 80, Athens, Greece

    Vassilios Yannopapas

  3. Materials Science Department, School of Natural Sciences, University of Patras, 265 04, Patras, Greece

    Emmanuel Paspalakis

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  1. Hamid R. Hamedi
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  2. Julius Ruseckas
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Correspondence to Hamid R. Hamedi.

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Hamedi, H.R., Ruseckas, J., Yannopapas, V. et al. Enhanced coherent optical effects in Ξ-shaped hybrid quantum-plasmonic systems. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 139, 314 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-024-05102-5

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