Optical Parity-Time Symmetric Structure with Vee- and Lambda-Configuration Atomic Vapors

Abstract

In optical parity-time symmetry, the electric permittivity of an electromagnetic structure should have a real part, which is an even function of spatial coordinates, and an imaginary part, which is an odd function of coordinates. Since a Vee- and a Lambda-configuration three-level atomic vapor can be driven by both control and probe beams, and can exhibit both frequency-sensitive and field-controlling optical responses, the dielectric “constants” of these two atomic vapors can be tuned by manipulating the applied external control fields. The requirement for realizing optical parity-time symmetry can be fulfilled in quantum-coherent multilevel atomic vapors. A design based on Vee- and Lambda-configuration three-level atomic vapors for achieving optical parity-time symmetric interface is suggested in this paper. Under certain parameter conditions, an optical parity-time symmetric interface can possibly be fabricated in the present scenario of quantum-coherent multilevel atomic vapors.