For the first time, we study the parametric amplification process of multi-wave mixing (PA-MWM) signal and cascaded-nonlinearity process (CNP) in sodium vapors both theoretically and experimentally, based on a conventional phase-conjugate MWM and a self-diffraction four-wave mixing (SD-FWM) processes, which are pumped by laser or amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), respectively. For laser pumping case, SD-FWM process serves as a quantum linear amplifier (a CNP) out (inside) of the resonant absorption region. While for ASE case, only the CNP occurs and the output linewidth is much narrower than that of the MWM signal due to the second selected effect of its electromagnetically induced transparency window. In addition, the phase-sensitive amplifying process seeded by two MWM processes is discussed for the first time. Theoretical fittings agree well with the experiment. The investigations have important potential applications in quantum communication.

We report the quantum correlated triple beams via cascaded four-wave mixing (CFWM) amplified in single hot atomic vapor. Experimentally, we show that strong quantum correlation of three light beams, among them any two’s quantum correlation is characterized by the maximum value of intensity-difference squeezing (IDS) about −7.8 ± 0.3 dB. We found there is IDS between two idler beams, because two pairs of Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen injections potentially exist in our system. Besides, CFWM can emit three-mode beams at three different frequencies, in which these beams can be well separated in the spatial domain. Moreover, much difference with other methods, the injecting probe field can manipulate the gain and IDS of output three-mode light beams, which is resulting from competition relationship between cascaded two four-wave mixing processes. More interestingly, Autler–Townes splitting of gain peaks of output signals due to dressing effect of pumping fields, will lead to the evolution of measured two- and three-mode IDS from single-mode to multi-mode at frequency domain. This result will provide a multimode quantum resource which can potentially realize multimode entanglement and quantum networks.

We report photon–phonon atomic coherence (cascade- and nested-dressing) interaction from the various phase transitions of Eu³⁺: BiPO₄ crystal. Such atomic coherence spectral interaction evolves from out-of-phase fluorescence to in-phase spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) by changing the time gate. The dressing dip switch and three dressing dips of SFWM result from the strong photon–phonon destructive cross- and self-interaction for the hexagonal phase, respectively. More phonon dressing results in the destructive interaction, while less phonon dressing results in the constructive interaction of the atomic coherences. The experimental measurements of the photon–phonon interaction agree with the theoretical simulations. Based on our results, we proposed a model for an optical transistor (as an amplifier and switch).

The increasing demand for ultra-reliable and low-latency communication in 6G networks presents significant challenges in energy management. This paper proposes a simulation-based optimization framework for energy harvesting systems (EHS) in 6G networks using Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and compares it with Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) optimization. As 6G networks integrate a large number of devices and heterogeneous communication technologies, energy harvesting from ambient sources such as solar, wind and radio frequency (RF) becomes crucial for system sustainability. Traditional energy management approaches often fail to adapt to dynamic network conditions, which leads to inefficiencies. In contrast, DRL-based optimization dynamically adjusts energy allocation, storage and communication strategies to maximize energy efficiency, network throughput and device longevity. The results from simulations show that the DRL-based method outperforms conventional optimization techniques, which provides a more scalable and efficient solution for 6G systems. DDPG-based optimization is offering improvements over traditional methods. But it does not achieve the same level of performance as DRL, particularly in large-scale networks with fluctuating energy availability. This study highlights the potential of DRL to address the energy challenges of future wireless communication systems and paves the way for more sustainable 6G network operations.

We realized an optical transistor and router utilizing multi-order fluorescence and spontaneous parametric four-wave mixing. Specifically, the optical routing action was derived from the results of splitting in the intensity signal due to a dressing effect, whereas the transistor as a switch and amplifier was realized by a switching correlation and squeezing via a nonlinear phase. A substantial enhancement of the optical contrast was observed for switching applications using correlation and squeezing contrary to the intensity signal. Moreover, the controlling parameters were also configured to devise a control mechanism for the optical transistor and router.

We experimentally demonstrated the formation of a one-dimensional electromagnetically induced optical lattice in coherently prepared three-level ⁸⁵Rb Rydberg atomic vapors with electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). The one-dimensional photonic lattice was optically induced by a coupling field with a spatially periodical intensity distribution deriving from the interference of two strong Gaussian beams from the same laser source (~480 nm). Under the Rydberg-EIT condition, the incident weak probe beam can feel a tunable spatially modulated susceptibility, which is verified by the controllable discrete diffraction pattern observed at the output plane of the vapor cell. This investigation not only opens the door for experimentally introducing the strong interaction between Rydberg atoms to govern the beam dynamics in photonic lattices based on atomic coherence but also provides an easily accessible periodic environment for exploring Rydberg-atom physics and related applications.