• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.483-490
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• 2003

We have analyzed theoretically optical pulse propagation in a coherent atomic medium for amplification without inversion (AWI), which is achieved by adding incoherent optical pumping to a typical EIT system. In order to explain experimental results [Kim et al., J. Phys. B, 36, 2671(2003)] to control the group velocity of the optical pulse by changing pumping power, we established a 5-level atomic system and applied density matrix equations. This AWI model system is different from previous AWI systems from the viewpoint of using two levels for incoherent optical pumping isolated optically from the EIT (electromagentically induced transparency) system so that more atoms can participate in pulse speed control. We have found that population transfer by collisions between ground states plays a decisive role for efficient AWI, and more atoms are effective for slowing the pulse. Our numerical results are in good agreement qualitatively with experimental results.