Superluminal Ultrasensitive Optical Gyroscope in an Inverted Double-Raman Lambda System

ORAL

Abstract

The probe field in an inverted double-Raman lambda atomic system experiences a gain along with a negative dispersion. We show in this talk how a critical negative dispersion can lead to a dramatic enhancement in the sensitivity to cavity length change --- induced by rotation, for example --- for a ring laser employing this gain. The critical anomalous dispersion enhances the lasing frequency shift by as much as five orders of magnitude when compared to a conventional ring laser with the same dimensions. We show how a careful selection of the experimental parameters, such as strengths of the two controlling fields, can lead to the critical dispersion of interest. We also describe how such a laser can be used to realize a superluminal ring laser gyroscope with highly enhanced sensitivity. Finally, we describe our experimental efforts toward realizing such a superluminal ring laser using a rubidium vapor cell and dual frequency Raman pumps.

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Authors

  • Tony Abi-Salloum

    • Physics and Astronomy Dept. Widener University, Chester, Pa. 19013
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Widener University, Chester, PA 19013, USA

  • Ye Wang

    • Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Northwestern University
    • Department of EECS, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA

  • Joshua Yablon

    • Department of EECS, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA

  • Shih Tseng

    • Department of EECS, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA

  • Zifan Zhou

    • Department of EECS, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA

  • Selim Shahriar

    • Northwestern University
    • Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University
    • Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Department of EECS, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208