Peak Amplification and Breakup of a Coherent Optical Pulse in a Simple Atomic Absorber

Abstract
We report the low-loss propagation, peak amplification, and multiple breakup of a coherent laser pulse undergoing self-induced transparency by interacting with two nondegenerate levels of a highly absorbing gas of Rb atoms. These results are in good agreement with computer solutions of coupled Schrödinger and Maxwell equations including relaxation.