Nonlinear selective reflection in cascade three-level atomic systems

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Abstract
We study the cascade three-level selective-reflection spectroscopy for normal incidence at a dielectric–atomic-vapor interface in a pump-probe scheme. Taking into account the effects of spatial dispersion arising from deexcitation by collisions with the interface and the transient response of atoms leaving the surface, we evaluate the modification of the probe-field reflection induced by the presence of the pump field in terms of a nonlocal nonlinear susceptibility. The dependence of this susceptibility on the probe frequency for various given pump frequencies is calculated. Sub-Doppler structures in the selective reflection spectrum are obtained and analyzed. Potential applications to the study of the interaction of highly excited atomic states with the surface are indicated.