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M. Messall

Publications and source records attributed to M. Messall.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Ultrahigh Precision Absolute and Relative Rotation Sensing using Fast and Slow Light

We describe a resonator based optical gyroscope whose sensitivity for measuring absolute rotation is enhanced via use of the anomalous dispersion characteristic of superluminal light propagation. The enhancement is given by the inverse of the group index, saturating to a bound determined by the group velocity dispersion. We also show how the offsetting effect of the concomitant broadening of the resonator linewidth may be circumvented by using an active cavity. For realistic conditions, the enhancement factor is as high as 106. We also show how normal dispersion used for slow light can enhance relative rotation sensing in a specially designed Sagnac interferometer, with the enhancement given by the slowing factor

quant-ph

Controllable Anomalous Dispersion and Group Index Nulling via Bi-Frequency Raman Gain in Rb Vapor for application to Ultraprecision Rotation Sensing

We have recently proposed [9], the use of fast-light media to obtain ultrahigh precision rotation sensing capabilities. The scheme relies on producing a critically anomalous dispersion, in a suitable dispersive medium, which is introduced in the arms of a Sagnac interferometer. We present here an experimental investigation of the anomalous dispersion properties of bi-frequency Raman gain in rubidium vapor, with the goal of using this medium for producing the critically anomalous dispersion condition. A heterodyne phase measurement technique is used to measure accurately the index variation associated with the dispersion. The slope of the negative linear dispersion (or group index) is experimentally varied by more than two orders of magnitude while changing the frequency separation between pump fields, responsible for producing gain. Using this result, we have identified the experimental parameters for achieving a null value of the group index, corresponding to the critically anomalous dispersion condition necessary for enhanced rotational sensitivity.

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Experimental Constraints of Using Slow-Light in Sodium Vapor for Light-Drag Enhanced Relative Rotation Sensing

We report on experimental observation of electromagnetically induced transparency and slow-light (vg ~ c/607) in atomic sodium vapor, as a potential medium for a recently proposed experiment on slow-light enhanced relative rotation sensing [11]. We have performed an interferometric measurement of the index variation associated with a two-photon resonance to estimate the dispersion characteristics of the medium that is relevant to the slow-light based rotation sensing scheme. We also show that the presence of counter-propagating pump beams in an optical Sagnac loop produces a backward optical phase conjugation beam that can generate spurious signals, which may complicate the measurement of small rotations in the slow-light enhanced gyroscope. We identify techniques for overcoming this constraint.

quant-ph

Enhancement of interferometric precision using fast light

We show that anomalous dispersion characteristic of fast-light can be used to enhance the sensitivity of optical interferometry under certain conditions. In particular, we show that a dual-chamber Fabry-Perot interferometer with a shared mirror-pair can be used in a way so that its sensitivity is increased by operating near the critically anomalous dispersion condition where the group index is much less than unity. The enhancement factor can be as high as 108 for realistic conditions. The process of bi-frequency pumped Raman gain in a lambda-type atomic medium can be used to achieve this effect.

quant-ph