Observation of Quantum Beating from Two Coupled Parametric Six-Wave Mixing Signals in Rb

Two processes of coupled difference-frequency axially phase-matched parametric six-wave mixing are carried out in Rb vapour by two-photon excitation using fs laser pulses, and parametric six-wave mixing signals in the infrared and near infrared regime are detected. The infrared parametric six-wave mixing signals are up-converted into the visible spectral range by sum-frequency mixing with the pump laser in a LiIO₃ crystal. Moreover, quantum beating at 608cm^-1, corresponding to the 7s-5d energy difference in Rb, is observed from the sum-frequency signal at 495nm. As a result, we obtain modulated light signals in the visible, near infrared and infrared spectral ranges, and study the interference between 7s and 5d states of Rb.