COHERENT TRANSIENT AMPLIFICATION IN INHOMOGENEOUSLY BROADENED RUBIDIUM ATOMS BY DIODE-LASER FREQUENCY SWITCHING

We report observation of coherent transient amplification that is due to free-induction decay and optical nutation in inhomogeneously broade ned rubidium atoms by a sudden switch of diode-laser frequency. An amp lification coefficient of 2.2 x 10(-2) cm(-1) is observed when the dio de-laser frequency, initially tuned to the blue side of the Doppler-br oadened absorption profile, is snitched to be out of resonance by appl ication of a step-function pulsed injection current. The transition fr om free-induction decay to optical nutation is observed and discussed. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America