Atomic filter based on stimulated Raman transition at the rubidium D1 line

We report on a 795 nm atomic filter consisting of a stimulated Raman gain amplifier together with normal Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filtering (FADOF) at the rubidium D1 line. The filter is operated with a single transmission peak. The gain of the filter's transmission light signal is enhanced up to 85-fold compared to case operating without a stimulated Raman transition. Based on atomic coherence, the filter's minimum transmission bandwidth is less than 22 MHz. In each filtering channel, the signal light's frequency can be tuned by changing the detuning of the coupling light. Such a filter with stimulated Raman gain is more efficient in extracting weak signals in the presence of a strong light background compared with the normal FADOF. This expands the range of potential applications in optical communications and lidar technology. This filtering method can also be extended to the lines of other atoms. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America