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Demonstration of double EIT using coupled harmonic oscillators and RLC

circuits

Article  in  European Journal of Physics · June 2010

DOI: 10.1088/0143-0807/32/2/025 · Source: arXiv

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 Demonstration of double EIT using coupled harmonic oscillators and RLC circuits
Joshua Harden and Amitabh Joshi∗
Department of Physics, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois 61920

Juan D. Serna†
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Arkansas at Monticello, Monticello, Arkansas 71656
(Dated: December 31, 2010)
Single and double electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a medium, consisting of four-
level atoms in the inverted-Y configuration, are discussed using mechanical and electrical analogies.
A three coupled spring-mass system subject to damping and driven by an external force is used
to represent the four-level atom mechanically. The equations of motion of this system are solved
analytically, which revealed single and double EIT. On the other hand, three coupled RLC circuits
arXiv:1006.5167v3 [quant-ph] 30 Jul 2011

are used, as the electrical analog, to explore and experimentally demonstrate single and double EIT.
The simplicity of these two models makes this experiment appropriate for undergraduate students
and easy to incorporate into a college physics laboratory.

PACS numbers: 01.50.My, 42.50.Gy, 42.50.Hz

I. INTRODUCTION Besides absorption of light, there are other substantial

changes observed if a medium exhibits EIT, such as the
Atomic media have the physical characteristic of ab- modified index of refraction,9 which can give rise to the
sorbing light of certain frequencies. It is possible, for ex- reduction of the group velocity of a light pulse,10 or even
ample, that a medium absorbs two slightly different light a complete stop of light in the medium.11 Important ap-
frequencies simultaneously. However, and perhaps more plications of EIT include lasing without population inver-
intriguing, we observe that, for certain atomic configu- sion,12 enhanced nonlinear optical processes,13 quantum
rations of the medium, the level of absorption of one of computation and telecommunications,14 quantum mem-
the frequencies can be controlled by the other frequency ory,15 and optical switches.16
making the medium virtually transparent to the former During the past two decades, the study of quantum-
frequency. This phenomenon is called electromagneti- classical analogies in physics has gained some momentum
cally induced transparency (EIT).1 Usually, EIT occurs as they prove to be very useful in helping to understand
in vapors of three-level atomic systems, where laser lights the fundamental physical concepts and the applicabil-
(coherent light sources) drive two different atomic tran- ity of different theories.17 It is important to note that
sitions sharing one common level (known as the “probe” these analogies bring to light the fact that similar math-
and “coupling” field transitions). In the same way that a ematical models can be applied to both quantum and
“coupling field” controls the properties of an EIT medium classical phenomena, though these theories differ both in
determining the amount of absorption of a “probe field”, formalism, and fundamental concepts. Recently, a num-
the dispersive properties of the medium also get modified ber of these classical analogies of different quantum op-
resulting in to the reduction of the group velocity of light tical systems have been reported. For example, stimu-
inside it. Physically, EIT can be understood as a process lated resonance Raman effect,18 rapid adiabatic passage
of quantum interference between two atomic states of a in atomic physics,19 vacuum Rabi oscillation,20 number-
medium involving two indistinguishable quantum paths phase Wigner function and its relation to usual Wigner
that lead to a common final state. In addition to the function,21 and EIT in three-level systems.22 In a recent
EIT phenomenon, double EIT occurs when a four-level work, the response of a coupled array of nonlinear oscil-
atomic system is exposed to three laser sources driving lators to parametric excitation is calculated in the weak
three different transitions with one common level. The nonlinear limit using secular perturbation theory and the
three transitions are described as the “probe”, the “cou- exact results for small arrays of oscillators are used to
pling”, and the “pumping” field transitions. In this case, guide the analysis of the numerical integration of the
two strong electromagnetic fields, i.e., the coupling and model equations of motion for large arrays. Such results
the pumping fields control the medium in determining provide qualitative explanations for experiments involv-
the absorption and propagation of the probe field. ing a parametrically excited micromechanical resonator
The phenomenon of EIT, first observed two decades array.23
ago using high-power lasers in strontium vapor,2 has been Double EIT phenomenon is very important in EIT
extensively investigated during the past years in atomic based atomic memory systems. Systems displaying mul-
beams,3 plasma,4 optical cavities,5 and Bose-Einstein tiple EIT could be useful in the bifurcation of quantum
condensates.6 It has also been studied theoretically and information in multiple channels temporarily, which then
experimentally for media consisting of three- and four- can be used in multiplexing required in certain quantum
level atoms.7,8 information protocols. The release of stored information
 2

from multiple channels could be separately controlled by |3i

manipulating the group velocity of individual channels ∆r
(via their control fields) in such systems. Hence dou-
ble EIT is an important phenomenon for quantum in- ωr
formation processing and quantum computing and thus,
it needs its introduction and realization in the simplest
form to the readers. |2i
∆ ∆c
The goal of this work is to demonstrate double EIT
in four-level systems using two classical analogies: mass- ωc
spring systems and RLC circuits. For that purpose, we ω
first describe the atom as a damped, harmonic oscillator |0i
driven by an external force.24 Three different masses con- |1i
nected by springs and subject to frictional forces (damp-
ing) are used to represent the four-level atom. The de- FIG. 1. Schematic energy level diagram of a four-level sys-
structive interference of the normal modes of oscillation tem in the inverted-Y configuration. Here ω, ωc , and ωr are
of the masses is equivalent to the quantum interference the frequencies of the probe, coupling and pumping fields, re-
that originates EIT. Secondly, we explore experimentally, spectively; whereas ∆, ∆c , and ∆r are their corresponding
the electrical analogue of double EIT using three cou- frequency detunings.
pled RLC circuits. The power delivered to one of these
coupled oscillating circuits is measured as a function of
the frequency of a driving source of alternating voltage. medium becomes transparent (zero absorption) for the
The electrical equivalence of the power transmitted to the probe field. In the absence of the coupling and pumping
circuit with the power absorbed by an atomic medium, fields, we may observe a regular absorption resonance
allows us to investigate, directly from the circuit, the profile. However, under certain conditions, the addition
characteristic patterns of single and double EIT. of either the coupling or pumping fields prevents the ab-
To get information about the absorption and disper- sorption of energy by the medium, and the transmitted
sion of light in the four-level atomic medium, we need intensity as a function of the probe frequency shows a
to solve a large system of the density matrix equations narrow peak of induced transparency called single EIT
numerically.8 However, the equations of motion that de- (or just EIT). When both coupling and pumping fields
scribe the mechanical and electrical systems can be solved are simultaneously present, then they together control
analytically and hence the double EIT phenomenon could the absorption and propagation of the probe field, and
be studied with more ease in the two analogue systems thus double EIT may be observed in the transmitted in-
using the analytical solutions. The merit of analytic so- tensity profile of the probe field.25
lutions is that it clearly brings out the functional depen- Absorptive and dispersive properties of the atomic sys-
dence of double EIT phenomenon on several parameters. tem can be studied by calculating the electrical suscep-
On the other hand, the circuits used in this experiment tibility of the system. When the atom-field interaction
show realistic forced, damped harmonic oscillations that is determined by the density matrix equation and the
can be easily built and may be incorporated into an un- corresponding off-diagonal (coherence) component of the
dergraduate physics laboratory, and help students and probe transition is ρ12 , the complex susceptibility χ is
teachers to appreciate the complex quantum phenomena given by χ = µp ρ12 /Ep , in which µp and Ep represent
of EIT and double EIT put together in a very simplified the dipole moment and the field amplitude for the probe
manner both theoretically and experimentally. transition. The susceptibility χ = χ′ + iχ′′ is a com-
plex quantity such that its real (imaginary) part deter-
mines the dispersive (absorptive) property of the atomic
II. MODEL AND BASIC EQUATIONS medium for the probe field. The intensities of the driv-
ing fields determine the effects observed in double EIT,
We considered a medium consisting of four-level atoms as depicted in FIG. 2 for the radiative decay constants
in the so-called inverted-Y configuration as shown in γ1 = γ2 = γ3 = 1.0, and γ0 = 10−4 . The Rabi fre-
FIG. 1. The levels |1i and |2i were coupled by a “probe” quencies Ωc and Ωr are directly proportional to the cou-
field of frequency ω, in whose absorption and dispersion pling and pumping field strengths, respectively, and must
we were interested. The level |2i was connected to the be comparable with all damping rates γi present in the
lower level |0i by a strong “coupling” field of frequency medium.
ωc , and to the upper level |3i by the strong “pump- Figure 2(a) clearly shows double EIT (two dips at
ing” field of frequency ωr . Only the atomic transitions ∆ = 0) at the exact resonance conditions of the coupling
|1i ↔ |2i, |0i ↔ |2i, and |2i ↔ |3i were dipole allowed. and pumping fields, i.e., ∆c = ∆r = 0 and (Ωc = 1.0,
In a typical double EIT experiment, quantum interfer- Ωr = 2.5). The corresponding dispersive property is
ence is introduced by driving the upper two levels with given in FIG. 2(b). Furthermore, strong coupling and
strong coherent fields. Under appropriate conditions, the pumping fields may induce AC-Stark splitting of the ex-
 3

the captions of the figures and can be further explored in

0.0004
0.0002
those references.
Im(χ)
(a) (b)

Re(χ)
0.0002 0.0000
A. Mechanical spring analog of single and double
0.0000 -0.0002 EIT-like phenomena
-10 0 10 -10 0 10
∆ ∆
The Lorentz model24,29 is recognized as one of the clas-
sical models for the atom that works incredibly well for
0.0004 0.0002
(d)
describing the interaction of light with matter. The ba-
(c)
sic assumption made in this model is that the bounded
Re(χ) electrons within the neutral atom oscillate about their
0.0002 0.0000
Im(χ)

equilibrium position with a very small amplitude. In ad-

0.0000 -0.0002

-10 -5 0 5 10
dition, each electron-ion pair behaves as a simple har-
-10 -5 0 5 10
∆ ∆ monic oscillator which couples to the electromagnetic
field through its electric dipole moment. Thus, the atom
can be described as a damped harmonic oscillator of mass
0.0002
(f) m attached to a rigid support by a spring of force con-
0.0004 (e)
0.0000
stant κ and driven by a harmonic force F = F0 e−i(ωt+φ) .
Re(χ)
Im(χ)

0.0002 The inclusion of a damping force is necessary in the model

-0.0002
because different physical processes, like atomic collisions
0.0000
-10 -5 0 5 10 -10 -5 0 5 10
and radiative decays, may take away energy from the
∆ ∆ atom. The forces acting p on the oscillator (with its nat-
ural frequency ω0 = κ/m) are the harmonic driving
FIG. 2. Imaginary and real parts of the susceptibility χ, as force F , the spring force −κx, and the damping force
a function of probe detuning ∆, for different parametric con- 2β ẋ, where ẋ is the oscillator’s speed. Newton’s second
ditions. The profiles show double EIT for a four-level atom
law gives the equation of motion for the position variable
in an inverted-Y configuration with γ1 = γ2 = γ3 = 1.0, and
γ0 = 10−4 . The other parameters for plots (a,b), (c,d), and
x in the Lorentz model as
(e,f) are (Ωc = 1.0, Ωr = 2.5, ∆c = 0, ∆r = 0), (Ωc = 2.0, ẍ + 2β ẋ + ω02 x = F0 e−i(ωt+φ) . (1)
Ωr = 3.0, ∆c = 0, ∆r = 0), and (Ωc = 1.0, Ωr = 2.0,
∆c = 0.8, ∆r = 1.8), respectively. All the parameters have In the classical model of double EIT, we described the
the dimension of frequency. atom as a damped harmonic oscillator of mass m1 at-
tached to a rigid support by a spring of force constant κ1
and driven by a harmonic force F = F0 e−i(ωt+φ) . To this
cited levels |2i and |3i under resonant conditions. When mass-spring combination were attached two other masses
the coupling and pumping fields are strong, the split- originally at rest, m2 and m3 that were connected to mass
ting expands, and the absorption spectrum displays the m1 by springs of force constants κ12 and κ13 , respectively.
Autler-Townes doublets.26 In FIG. 2(c), the values of These two masses were also fixed, from the other side, to
the coupling and pumping fields Rabi frequencies are rigid supports by springs of force constants κ2 and κ3 ,
stronger (Ωc = 2.0, Ωr = 3.0 with other parameters un- respectively [see FIG. 3(a)].
changed) in comparison to FIG. 2(a) and hence the width It is always a matter of importance and interest to
of the two EIT dips becomes broader due to a wider split- know at what rate energy is transmitted into the driven
ting of the Autler-Townes doublets. The corresponding oscillator, and how this power is absorbed as a function
dispersive properties under this parametric condition are of the frequency ω.30 In the typical situation of a damped
displayed in FIG. 2(d). Finally, the effect of off-resonant harmonic oscillator m1 driven by a harmonic force F , a
coupling and pumping fields (Ωc = 1.0, Ωr = 2.0, standard absorption resonance profile is observed. How-
∆c = 0.8, ∆r = 1.8) are displayed in FIG. 2(e,f). ever, if either m2 or m3 is allowed to move due only to the
Two EIT dips moved away from the ∆ = 0 position forces from the springs they are attached to (with force
because of finite detunings of the coupling and pumping constants κ12 and κ2 , and κ13 and κ3 , respectively), this
fields. The details of this theoretical work on double EIT will avoid absorption in a limited region of the resonance
are discussed in reference.8 The single EIT observed ex- profile, and the transmitted power as a function of the
perimentally in a three-level Λ-type atomic system, and driving force frequency will show a narrow peak of in-
double EIT in a four-level tripod type atomic system are duced transparency (single EIT).22
shown in figure 4 of Ref. 27 and figure 3(a1) of Ref. 28, In this physical model of the atom, the spring attach-
respectively. Clearly in the optical spectrum, a single ing masses m1 and m2 (with force constant κ12 ) emu-
deep is observed in the absorption spectrum of a single lated the coupling field between atomic levels |0i and |2i,
EIT system and two deeps are observed in a double EIT whereas the spring connecting masses m1 and m3 (with
system. The experimental conditions are mentioned in force constant κ13 ) emulated the pumping field between
 4

κ12 111111111111
000000000000
κ2 To describe the classical evolution of this system, we
(a)
000000000000
111111111111
000000000000
111111111111
m used a fixed set of one-dimensional Cartesian coordinates
11111111111
00000000000
2
κ1
00000000000
11111111111 000000000000
111111111111
000000000000
111111111111 x1 , x2 , and x3 , representing the positions of the masses
00000000000
11111111111
m1 000000000000
111111111111
000000000000
111111111111 from their equilibrium positions. Thus, the equations of
00000000000
11111111111
00000000000
11111111111
κ13 κ3
000000000000
111111111111 motion could be written like
000000000000
111111111111
m 3
000000000000
111111111111
000000000000
111111111111 ẍ1 (t) + γ1 ẋ1 (t) + ω12 x1 (t)
−iωt
F0 e
− Ω2c x2 (t) − Ω2r x3 (t) = (F0 /m) e−iωt ,
(b) (2)
ẍ2 (t) + γ2 ẋ2 (t) + ω22 x2 (t) − Ω2c x1 (t) = 0,
1111111111111111111111111111111
0000000000000000000000000000000
κ1 κ12 κ2
0000000000000000000000000000000
1111111111111111111111111111111
0000000000000000000000000000000
1111111111111111111111111111111
m 1 m 2
ẍ3 (t) + γ3 ẋ3 (t) + ω32 x3 (t) − Ω2r x1 (t) = 0,
0000000000000000000000000000000
1111111111111111111111111111111
0000000000000000000000000000000
1111111111111111111111111111111 where we assumed that φ = 0 and m1 = m2 = m3 ≡ m.
F0 e −iωt The other parameters were defined as follows: ω12 =
(κ1 +κ12 +κ13 )/m, ω22 = (κ2 +κ12 )/m, ω32 = (κ3 +κ13 )/m,
FIG. 3. Coupled damped harmonic-oscillator model showing Ω2c = κ12 /m, and Ω2r = κ13 /m. The damping parameters
(a) double EIT and (b) single EIT features. γi (viscous damping) represented the mechanical equiva-
lent to the spontaneous decay rates of the three excited
states in the inverted-Y atomic configuration.
levels |2i and |3i. The probe field was then modeled Because we expected the motion to be oscillatory, we
by the harmonic force acting on mass m1 . These ana- attempted solutions of the form xi = Bi e−iωt , with Bi s
logues remind us the description of the fields in terms are constants (i = 1, 2, 3). Substituting these expres-
of harmonic oscillators.31 Now, if we allow both masses sions for the displacements into the equations of motion,
m2 and m3 to move simultaneously under the conditions we found that the displacement of m1 (atom displace-
described above, we will observe double EIT features. ment) was given by

(F0 /m) e−iωt

x1 (t) = . (3)
Ω4c Ω4r
(ω12 − ω 2 − i γ1 ω) − 2 −
ω2 − ω 2 − i γ2 ω ω32 − ω 2 − i γ3 ω

In the Lorentz oscillator model,24,29 the electrical po- C connected in series to an alternating voltage source
larization P (or the susceptibility χ = P/F ) induced in V .32 The importance of this correspondence is that RLC
the atom by the external force field F is directly propor- circuits are easy to build in the laboratory, and may
tional to x1 , for the polarization is defined as P = N e x1 , be used as excellent examples of non mechanical oscil-
where N is the number of atoms per unit volume, and e is lations. We used these circuits to demonstrate experi-
the electronic charge. The real and imaginary parts of x1 mentally and study theoretically single and double EIT
give the dispersion and absorption properties of the atom, by analyzing the dissipation of electric power in the re-
respectively. A graphical analysis of (3) will allow us to sistance. The circuit that showed double EIT behavior
explore these two important properties of light propaga- is shown in FIG. 4(a). This circuit was made up of three
tion. The frequency differences (detuning) of the probe, loops of RLC circuits. The resistance, inductance, and
coupling, and pumping fields with respect to the external capacitance of the loops were represented by Ri , Li , and
driving field were defined like ∆ = ω1 − ω, ∆c = ω2 − ω, Ci , respectively (i = 1, 2, 3). The first loop with re-
and ∆r = ω3 − ω, respectively. These definitions are sistance R1 , inductance L1 , capacitances C1 and C/2,
slightly different from what is used in optical double EIT represented the atom. The resistance accounted for the
nomenclature.8 spontaneous radiative decay of the second excited level
|2i to level |1i. The capacitance C, shared by the first
and second loops, provided the link between the atom
B. Electrical analog of double EIT: coupled RLC and the coupling field; whereas the other capacitance C,
circuits shared by the first and third loops, linked the atom with
the pumping field.
There is a well known correspondence between a driven In this circuit, the loop that modeled the atom (loop
damped harmonic oscillator and an electrical circuit con- 1) had a resonance frequency that represented the transi-
sisting of a resistor R, an inductor L, and a capacitor tion energy from the ground state |1i to the excited state
 5

(a) SW 2
cuit are written like I1 (t) = q̇1 (t), I2 (t) = q̇2 (t), and
R1
I3 (t) = q̇3 (t), the following system of coupled differential
equations for the charges is found
I2 R2
C
q̈1 (t) + γ1 q̇1 (t) + ω12 q1 (t)
C2 L2 − Ω2c q2 (t) − Ω2r q3 (t) = (Vs /L1 ) e−iωt ,
Vs I1 (4)
SW 3 q̈2 (t) + γ2 q̇2 (t) + ω22 q2 (t) − Ω2c q1 (t) = 0,
q̈3 (t) + γ3 q̇3 (t) + ω32 q3 (t) − Ω2r q1 (t) = 0,
C I3 R3
where γi = Ri /Li , ωi2 = 1/(Li Cei ) (with i = 1, 2, 3),
L1 C1
and Ω2c = Ω2r = 1/(L1 C). The equivalent capacitances
C3 L3
for these loops were

(b) (C/2) C1
R1 SW Ce1 = ,
C/2 + C1
C C2
Ce2 = , (5)
Vs I1 C I2 R2 C + C2
C C3
Ce3 = .
C + C3
L1 C1 C2 L2
It was easy to compare (2) with (4) and conclude that
FIG. 4. Coupled RLC electrical circuits displaying (a) double
both models described the same physical phenomenon.
EIT-like and (b) single EIT-like features. Applying the Kirchhoff’s second law to the three loops
of the circuit,33 with loop currents I1 , I2 , and I3 , we
obtained
|2i. The probability of populating this excited state was [R1 − i(2XC + XC1 − XL1 )]I1
a maximum when the alternating voltage source V was
in resonance with the resonance frequency of this loop, + iXC I2 + iXC I3 = V,
(6)
(or in resonance with the |1i → |2i transition). How- iXC I1 + [R2 − i(XC + XC2 − XL2 )]I2 = 0,
ever, with a three-loop configuration, we had two other iXC I1 + [R3 − i(XC + XC3 − XL3 )]I3 = 0,
possible ways to accomplish this excitation since we were
using the analogue of a four-level atom in the inverted- where XC = 1/(ω C) and XCi = 1/(ω Ci ) (i = 1, 2, 3)
Y configuration. For instance, loop 1 (representing the were the capacitive reactances, and XLi = ωLi (i =
atom) could also have been excited either by the coupling 1, 2, 3) were the inductive reactances. From the above
loop 2 (|0i → |2i), the pumping loop 3 (|3i → |2i), or system of equations, it was found that
both.  
The EIT was studied by examining the frequency de- A + iB
pendence of the transmitted power from the voltage I1 = V, (7)
A2 + B 2
source V = Vs e−iωt to the resonant first loop. If the
currents flowing in the three different loops of the cir- where, for convenience, we defined

R2 XC2 R3 XC2
A ≡ R1 + + , (8)
R22 + [XL2 − (XC + XC2 )]2 R32 + [XL3 − (XC + XC3 )]2

XC2 [XL2 − (XC + XC2 )] XC2 [XL3 − (XC + XC3 )]

B ≡ XL1 − (2XC + XC1 ) − − . (9)
R22 + [XL2 − (XC + XC2 )]2 R32 + [XL3 − (XC + XC3 )]2

The electrical power in the R1 L1 Ce1 loop was obtained the following expressions
by multiplying (7) by the voltage. In-phase and out-of-
phase components of the power were associated with the A |Vs |2 B |Vs |2
PR = and PX = , (10)
energy dissipated by the resistive (PR ), and the energy A2 + B 2 A2 + B 2
stored by the reactance (PX ) parts of the circuit, giving where A and B were given by (8) and (9).
 6

0.06 0.04 0.06 0.04

(a) (b) (a) (b)
0.04 0.02 0.04 0.02
Im (χ)

Re (χ)

Im (χ)

Re (χ)
0.02 0.00 0.02 0.00

0.00 -0.02 0.00 -0.02

-0.5 0 0.5 -0.5 0 0.5 -0.5 0 0.5 -0.5 0 0.5

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆

0.06 0.04 0.06 0.04

(c) (d) (c) (d)
0.04 0.02 0.04 0.02
Im (χ)

Re (χ)

Im (χ)

Re (χ)
0.02 0.00 0.02 0.00

0.00 -0.02 0.00 -0.02

-0.5 0 0.5 -0.5 0 0.5 -0.5 0 0.5 -0.5 0 0.5

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆

0.06 0.04 0.06 0.04

(e) (f) (e) (f)
0.04 0.02 0.04 0.02
Im (χ)

Re (χ)

Im (χ)

Re (χ)
0.02 0.00 0.02 0.00

0.00 -0.02 0.00 -0.02

-0.5 0 0.5 -0.5 0 0.5 -0.5 0 0.5 -0.5 0 0.5

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆

FIG. 5. Imaginary and real parts of the susceptibility χ for FIG. 6. Imaginary and real parts of the susceptibility χ for
the double EIT-like system as a function of the detuning ∆. the single EIT-like system as a function of the detuning ∆.
The radiative decays are γ1 = 1.0, γ2 = 0.1, γ3 = 10−4 , and The radiative decays are γ1 = 1.0, γ2 = 10−4 , and γ3 = 0.0.
the coupling and pumping detunings ∆c = ∆r = 0. For plots For plots (a) and (b), ∆c = 0.0 and Ωc = 2.3. For plots (c)
(a) and (b): Ωc = 3.0, and Ωr = 2.3. For plots (c) and (d): and (d), ∆c = 0.0 and Ωc = 3.0. Plots (e) and (f), ∆c = 0.1
Ωc = 2.7 and Ωr = 3.0. Plots (e) and (f) have ∆c = ∆r = 0.1 and Ωc = 2.3. All the parameters have the dimension of
and Ωc = 3.0 and Ωr = 2.3. All the parameters have the frequency.
dimension of frequency.

We first studied the absorption and dispersion proper- were considered (i.e., Ωc = 0 or Ωr = 0). The absorption
ties of the spring-mass system at exact resonance condi- and dispersion curves showed characteristics of standard
tions ∆c = ∆r = 0 of the coupling and pumping fields. EIT, as observed in FIG. 6(a) and 6(b), respectively. The
Figures 5(a) and 5(b) display the curves for the absorp- parameters used for this case were Ωc = 2.3, Ωr = 0.0,
tion and dispersion of the probe field, respectively. The γ1 = 1.0, γ2 = 10−4 , and γ3 = 0.0. The effects of the
Rabi frequencies and radiative decays (damping) used coupling field strength on this system are now shown in
were Ωc = 3.0, Ωr = 2.3, γ1 = 1.0, γ2 = 0.1, and FIG. 6(c) and 6(d). The only parameter changed was
γ3 = 10−4 (all these quantities given in units of the Ωc = 3.0. The broadening in the EIT peak was apparent
atomic decay γ1 ). Double EIT was observed in the and caused by the coupling field increase. In FIG. 6(e)
absorption curve at ∆ = 0, where two dips of differ- and 6(f), the only parameter changed was ∆c = 0.1, leav-
ent widths, one inside the other, clearly became visible ing the other parameters as before. Clearly, the EIT
[FIG. 5(a)]. When the coupling and pumping frequen- moved away from the centre of the graph.
cies were changed to Ωc = 2.7 and Ωr = 3.0, we noticed We next looked at the behavior of PR and PX as a
from the absorption curve that when the pumping field function of the frequency detuning δ = ω − ωR for dif-
increased reducing its relative difference with the cou- ferent initial conditions of the parameters R, L, and C.
pling field, the second dip became wider [FIG. 5(c)]. On In FIG. 7, the effects of the coupling and pumping fre-
the other hand, FIG. 5(d) shows how, in the vicinity of quency detunings, in the double EIT scenario, are shown
∆ = 0, the peaks of dispersion flipped in a smoother when parameters L2 and L3 took on different values. The
way. The change of frequency detunings brought in fur- solid and dashed lines represent the absorption and dis-
ther interesting changes as depicted in FIG. 5(e) and 5(f), persion of light, respectively. Figure 7(a) shows that,
where we set ∆c = ∆r = 0.1. Because of these detuning at exact resonance conditions for both the coupling and
changes, the two EIT peaks separated from each other, pumping fields with the probe field (∆c = ∆r = 0), there
and moved away relative to the ∆ = 0 position. was only a single dip in the curve (like single EIT). This
The double EIT features changed to those of single EIT happened because both EIT dips occurred at the same
[for the spring-mass system in FIG. 3(b)] when the zero- location. The corresponding dispersion curve also shows
limit condition for either the coupling or pumping fields this particular characteristic. A separation of the two
 7

0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020

(a) (b) (a) (b)
0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010
P

P
0 0 0 0

-0.010 -0.010 -0.010 -0.010

-0.1 0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2
δ δ δ δ

0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020

(c) (d) (c) (d)
0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010
P

P
0 0 0 0

-0.010 -0.010 -0.010 -0.010

-0.1 0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2
δ δ δ δ

FIG. 7. Power transferred to the R1 L1 Ce1 circuit (Fig.6(a)) FIG. 8. Power transferred to the R1 L1 Ce1 circuit (Fig.4(a))
as a function of the detuning δ ≡ ω − ωR . This detun- as a function of the detuning δ. The parameters used were
ing was defined as the difference between the driving field R1 = 50 Ω, L2 = 0.0020 H, L1 = 0.0010 H, L3 = 0.0003 H,
frequency ω and the resonance frequency of the circuit ωR . C1 = C2 = C3 = 0.1 µF, and C = 0.2 µF. For plots (a)
The parameters used were R2 = R3 = 5.0 Ω, R1 = 50 Ω, R2 = 5.0 Ω and R3 = 2.0 Ω; (b) R2 = 15 Ω and R3 = 2.0 Ω; (c)
C1 = C2 = C3 = 0.1 µF, C = 0.2 µF, and L1 = 0.0010 H. For R2 = 30 Ω and R3 = 5.0 Ω; and (d) R2 = 50 Ω and R3 = 5.0 Ω.
plots (a) L2 = 0.0010 H and L3 = 0.0010 H; (b) L2 = 0.0010 H respectively. The solid line represents PR , whereas the dashed
and L3 = 0.0015 H; (c) L2 = 0.0020 H and L3 = 0.0003 H; and line represents PX . P is given in arbitrary units.
(d) L2 = 0.0005 H and L3 = 0.0003 H. The solid line repre-
sents PR , whereas the dashed line represents PX . P is given
in arbitrary units. ing loop R3 L3 Ce3 . Plot 9(a) clearly shows a single EIT
dip at exact resonance. The frequency detunings of the
two RLC loops were zero; the two loops had the same
EIT dips in the absorption line occurred when L3 was resonance frequency determined from the selected pa-
increased, as shown in FIG. 7(b). The dispersion line rameters of each loop. By changing the value of L2 , the
also moved apart, showing the typical dispersion charac- resonance frequencies of the two loops changed, and so
teristics of double EIT. This showed how the second dip did the absorption and dispersion curves, as shown in
moved toward the left in comparison to the one displayed FIG. 9(b). The symmetry of the curves was lost because
in plot 7(a). The separation of the two EIT dips is shown of the frequency detunings of the two circuits. A further
more clearly in FIG. 7(c) for a different set of parameters increase in the L2 value shifted the EIT dip even fur-
L2 and L3 . The two dips moved in opposite directions, ther [compare FIG. 9(c) with 9(b)]. In contrast, when
and double EIT was visible again. The dispersion curve the value of L2 was decreased relative to L1 , the EIT dip
also showed double EIT, and the peaks moved in oppo- moved in the opposite direction [ FIG. 9(d)] as if there
site directions. Figure 7(d) shows the dips shifted to the were a negative frequency detuning between the two cir-
right for yet another different set of parameters L2 and cuit loops in comparison to plots 9(b) and 9(c).
L3 . On the other hand, the experimental results obtained
Different values of the radiative decay parameters for the coupled RLC circuit shown in FIG. 4(b) displayed
(damping) also changed the absorption and dispersion single EIT behavior. We measured the current flowing
curves in double EIT. In the electrical analogue of the through the resistor R1 and calculated the power deliv-
atom, the resistance in the circuit loops represented the ered to the R1 L1 Ce1 loop. Figure 8 shows the power
damping. A comparison of FIG. 8(a) and 8(b) shows transmitted PR as a function of the driving field fre-
how the first EIT dip became less pronounced, and its quency ω.
width expanded when resistance R2 increased. When we In FIG. 10(a) and 10(b), the curves A and B illustrate
increased R2 and R3 even more, both EIT dips became the situation when we opened the switch SW (driven
even less pronounced, and their widths increased with the single RLC circuit), and when we closed it (driven RLC
resistance increase [compare FIG. 8(a) and 8(c)]. A large circuit coupled to a second RLC circuit). With the open
value of R2 caused the first dip to spread out increasing switch, no power was transferred from the circuit loop
its width and decreasing its depth. R2 L2 Ce2 , and the circuit loop R1 L1 Ce1 behaved like a
By removing one of the loops, i.e., either R2 L2 Ce2 simple, driven RLC circuit as shown in the figures. How-
or R3 L3 Ce3 , we recovered the two RLC coupled circuits ever, with the closed switch, we clearly observed a dip
showing single EIT (see FIG. 4). Figure 9[(a)–(d)] show (curves B of these two plots). This dip resembled the
the behavior of PR and PX after disconnecting the pump- single EIT-like dip shown in FIG. 9[(a)–(d)]. The two B
 8

0.020 0.020
(a) (b)
0.75 0.75
0.010 0.010 (a) (b)
B
A
P

P
0.50 0.50
0 0
B

PR
PR
-0.010 -0.010 0.25 0.25

-0.1 0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2

A
δ δ
0.00 0.00

0 2500 5000 7500 10000 0 2500 5000 7500 10000

0.020 0.020 ω
(c) (d) ω
2.0 2.0
0.010 0.010 (c)
1.6 1.6
(d)
P

P
0 0
1.2 1.2

PR
PR
-0.010 -0.010 0.8 0.8

-0.1 0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2

0.4 0.4
δ δ

0.0 0.0
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 0 2000 4000 6000 8000
FIG. 9. Power transferred to the R1 L1 Ce1 circuit (Fig.4(b)) ω ω
as a function of the detuning δ. The parameters used were
R2 = 5.0 Ω, R1 = 50 Ω, C1 = C2 = 0.1 µF, C = 0.2 µF,
FIG. 10. Experimental plots of the power transferred PR to
and L1 = 0.0010 H. For plots (a) L2 = 0.0010 H, (b) L2 =
the R1 L1 Ce1 loop as a function of the driving field frequency
0.0015 H, (c) L2 = 0.0020 H, and (d) L2 = 0.0005 H. The
ω. Plots (a) and (b) show single EIT-like behavior, whereas
solid line represents PR , whereas the dashed line represents
(c) and (d) show double EIT. The curves A and B depict the
PX . P is given in arbitrary units.
situation when switch SW is open and closed, respectively.
The parameters for this circuit are R1 = 50 Ω, R2 = 5.0 Ω,
C1 = C2 = 0.10 µF, and L1 = L2 = 0.27 H. For plots (a)
curves observed in FIG. 10 (a) and (b), essentially rep- C = 0.047 µF, (b) C = 0.2 µF. For plots (c) and (d), the
resented different resonance frequencies for the observed parameters of the circuit are R1 = 87 Ω, R2 = 16.0 Ω, R3 =
single EIT in the RLC circuits. 25 Ω, C1 = C2 = C3 = 0.047 µF, C = 0.1 µF, and L1 =
Note that such a simulation of single EIT along with 0.27 H. In particular, for (c) L2 = 0.065 H, and (d) L2 =
experimental demonstrations have also been presented in 0.185 H, with L1 = L3 = 0.27 H
an earlier work by Garrido Alzar et al.22 They present
a classical analogue of EIT using two coupled harmonic
oscillators subject to a harmonic driving force [similar to position of the second EIT peak changed for different val-
FIG. 3(b)] and reproduce the phenomenology observed ues of the inductance L2 . These dips were the analogues
in EIT by changing the strength of the coherent cou- of quantum interference observed in double EIT atomic
pling field. Moreover, these authors also recreate EIT systems. In this case, the interference happened because
behavior experimentally using two linearly coupled RLC of the power delivered to the resonant R1 L1 Ce1 circuit
circuits [similar to FIG. 4(b)]. In their work, the simu- from the voltage source V and the other two coupled cir-
lations are for the degenerate probe and coupling tran- cuits R2 L2 Ce2 and R3 L3 Ce3 . Classically, we looked at
sitions, showing excellent agreement of the theoretical this phenomena as the interference between three excita-
modeling of EIT (using coupled RLC circuits) with ex- tion paths corresponding to the normal modes of oscilla-
perimental results under similar conditions of parame- tion of the coupled harmonic oscillators.
ters. In this paper, we have presented not only an exten-
sive simulation of EIT, including the effects of different
strengths of coupling fields and frequency detunings as- III. SUMMARY
sociated with the coupled harmonic oscillators and RLC
circuits, but also simulations for a richer phenomenon of We have presented mechanical and electrical analogies
double EIT. We have selected different sets of parame- for single, and double EIT observed in three- and four-
ters in the experimental simulations to show that single level atomic systems using coupled harmonic oscillator
EIT [see FIG. 10(a,b)] and double EIT [see FIG. 10(c,d) models and RLC circuits. The mechanical analogy, con-
to be discussed in the following paragraph] are exhibited sisting of a coupled spring-mass system, may be helpful
for a wider range of parameters, and hence they are quite in understanding the observed zero power absorption in
versatile. single and double EIT phenomena, as a result of destruc-
We observed double EIT in the three coupled RLC tive interference between the normal modes of oscillation
circuits as shown in FIG. 4(a). When we experimen- of the system. The dissipation rates of the coupling and
tally measured the power transferred to the R1 L1 Ce1 pumping oscillators (γ2 and γ3 , respectively) should be
loop from the loops R2 L2 Ce2 and R3 L3 Ce3 , two dips were small compared with that of the atomic oscillator (γ1 ) for
visible [see FIG. 10 (c) and (d)]. We also noted that the EIT to be observable. The symmetry of the equation of
 9

motion of the atom for EIT allows us to study easily, the develop a better understanding of single and double EIT,
absorption and dispersion of a multilevel system in the as well as to improve their experimental skills. These ex-
inverted-Y (four-level) and Λ (three-level) configurations. periments are easy to adopt in any undergraduate physics
The electrical analogy, associated with a coupled RLC laboratory, and can be used to approach other compelling
circuit, may be helpful to realize the single and double topics such as quantum coherence and quantum interfer-
EIT phenomena experimentally. This type of circuit cor- ence, which occur in atomic systems, and are particularly
responds to the electrical analogue of the mass-spring important in observing phenomena like group velocity re-
system. This fact allows us to establish a direct cor- duction of light, superconductivity and superfluidity, and
respondence between an atomic system (based on the quantum information processing.
Lorentz’s approximations) and the RLC circuit. In fact,
by changing some circuit parameters like the inductances
and capacitances, it is possible to produce different con- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
trol fields acting on different atomic transitions. The re-
sistances of the circuit represent the radiative decays of The authors gratefully acknowledge the Research Cor-
these atomic levels. The Rabi frequencies of these control poration, the College of Sciences and the Department of
fields should be large enough from the radiative decays Physics at Eastern Illinois University, and the School of
for EIT to be observable. Mathematical and Natural Sciences at the University of
The interest on these experiments, and the final pur- Arkansas-Monticello for providing funding and support
pose of this work is to help undergraduate students to for this work.

∗
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