Complex structures in media displaying electromagnetically induced transparency: Pattern multistability and competition

Abstract

Spatially periodic and localized structures in the transverse plane of a medium displaying electromagnetically induced transparency in an optical cavity and under the action of two pumps are investigated. The system supports a multitude of different complex spatial structures depending on the chosen initial condition. We explore regimes of multistable patterns, filaments, stable defects, scrolling structures, nested patterns, fronts, and the spontaneous occurrence of multiple cavity solitons. To simulate realistic conditions of operation, we replace periodic boundary conditions with pumps of finite size. Many of the multistable features are recovered apart from the scrolling of patterns with defects.

Complex structures in cavities with media displaying EIT: coexistence, defects and selection mechanism

“…1 is, however, dissipative and the presence of diffraction makes it mathematically equivalent to typical Turing diffusive systems as demonstrated in [42]. As the details of the global behavior of the model can be found in [11], we just recall here some specific cases of the solutions for future reference. All numerical simulations of Eq.…”

“…All numerical simulations of Eq. 1 have been performed with a Fourier split-step integrator method in two spatial dimensions [11]. Initial conditions where either final configurations obtained from previous integrations or zero fields with small (less than 10 −3 E s ) random fluctuations (noise).…”

“…More recently, EIT has also been reported in solid state media featuring inhomogeneous line-shape broadening which helps in the implementation of scalable and integratable quantum optical and photonic devices [8,9,10]. Complex spatial structures in the light intensity output of an optical cavity containing a medium close to EIT have shapes and stability with strong dependence on parameter values and initial conditions [11]. Sensitivity to initial conditions in the final evolution of this system is due to a generalized multi-stability.…”

Optical turbulence and transverse rogue waves in a cavity with triple-quantum-dot molecules

“…Bistability between periodic Turing structures is less common than, for example, bistability or multistability of homogeneous solutions [15,36]. This is because, in general, stable Turing patterns are less common than homogeneous solutions and require their instability.…”

“…Different mechanisms for RWs in these systems have been identified: vortex-mediated turbulence [10,11], spatiotemporal chaos [12], and even cavity solitons [13]. On the other hand, the complexity and multistability of solutions are generic properties of atomic systems with enhanced material coherence provided by phenomena like electromagnetically induced transparency and coherent population trapping [14,15]. These systems display competing nonlinearities and lead to the formation of extended and localized optical structures when additional coupling lasers induce modifications to the nonlinear properties typical of atomic systems.…”