Higher-order correlation on polarization beats in Markovian stochastic fields - art. no. 043802

The correlation effects of sixth order on cascade three-level polarization beats are investigated using chaotic field, phase-diffusion, and Gaussian-a mplitude models. The polarization beat signal is shown to be particularly s ensitive to the statistical properties of the Markovian stochastic light fi elds with arbitrary bandwidth. Different stochastic models of the laser fie ld only affect the sixth- and fourth-order coherence functions. The constan t background of the beat signal originates from the amplitude fluctuation o f the Markovian stochastic fields. The Gaussian-amplitude field shows fluct uations larger than the chaotic held, which again exhibits fluctuations muc h larger than for the phase-diffusion held with pure phase fluctuations cau sed by spontaneous emission. The cases that the pump beams have either narr owband or broadband linewidth are considered and it has been found that for both cases a Doppler-free precision in the measurement of the energy-level difference of the excited slates can be achieved. The sixth-order coherenc e function theory is of vital importance in cascade three-level polarizatio n beats.