Three-level atoms inside a degenerate optical parametric oscillator: Steady-state behaviors - art. no. 023818

We study a composite system consisting of N three-level Lambda-type atoms a nd a degenerate optical parametric oscillator (DOPO). The standard DOPO thr eshold is modified by the presence of the three-level atoms. Bistability (i n the intracavity field intensity versus pumping intensity for the DOPO) ap pears for certain atomic detunings and coupling held strengths between the intracavity field and one of the atomic transitions. The effects of the cou pling field (for the auxiliary transition in the three-level atomic system) are discussed. The susceptibility of the three-level atoms is calculated f or the lower and upper branches of the bistable curve. Both analytical (for certain special cases) and numerical (for more general cases) results are presented.