Simultaneous propagation of short different-wavelength optical pulses

Abstract

The propagation of two short different-wavelength optical pulses in three-level absorbers is studied. Combined numerical and analytic techniques are used to solve the three-level Maxwell-Bloch equations that provide the semiclassical description of the problem. The electric field in the model studied consists of two copropagating plane waves, each of which is in near resonance with a transition in the absorber. A new conservation law, holding in the absence of relaxation mechanisms, and independent of particular values of fields and detunings, is given. It is an analog of the law expressing conservation of the Bloch vector length known for two-level atoms. The possibility of simultaneous lossless propagation of the two optical pulses is established. New analytic solutions having the form of simultaneous different-wavelength optical solitons have been found. These pairs of solitons are called simultons. In order for simulton propagation to occur, both the pulses and the medium have to be prepared in a manner determined by the medium's physical parameters. The conditions for such preparation are given. Simultons are predicted to be distinct from the single-wavelength multiple-pulse solutions resulting from large-area-pulse breakup known in two-level absorbers, as well as from two-photon self-induced transparency. Results of numerical experiments on different-wavelength simultaneous propagation are also presented and indicate that simultaneous propagation may also be obtained under less stringent conditions than those predicted by the analytic solutions. Evidence of pulse evolution and breakup is seen.