70 research outputs found
Quantum Coherence in a Single Ion due to strong Excitation of a metastable Transition
We consider pump-probe spectroscopy of a single ion with a highly metastable
(probe) clock transition which is monitored by using the quantum jump
technique. For a weak clock laser we obtain the well known Autler-Townes
splitting. For stronger powers of the clock laser we demonstrate the transition
to a new regime. The two regimes are distinguished by the transition of two
complex eigenvalues to purely imaginary ones which can be very different in
magnitude. The transition is controlled by the power of the clock laser. For
pump on resonance we present simple analytical expressions for various
linewidths and line positions.Comment: 6 figures. accepted for publication in PR
Gain without population inversion in V-type systems driven by a frequency-modulated field
We obtain gain of the probe field at multiple frequencies in a closed
three-level V-type system using frequency modulated pump field. There is no
associated population inversion among the atomic states of the probe
transition. We describe both the steady-state and transient dynamics of this
system. Under suitable conditions, the system exhibits large gain
simultaneously at series of frequencies far removed from resonance. Moreover,
the system can be tailored to exhibit multiple frequency regimes where the
probe experiences anomalous dispersion accompanied by negligible
gain-absorption over a large bandwidth, a desirable feature for obtaining
superluminal propagation of pulses with negligible distortion.Comment: 10 pages + 8 figures; To appear in Physical Review
Role of electromagnetically induced transparency in resonant four-wave-mixing schemes.
Published versio
Effects of the social environment during adolescence on the development of social behaviour, hormones and morphology in male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)
Abstract
Background
Individual differences in behaviour are widespread in the animal kingdom and often influenced by the size or composition of the social group during early development. In many vertebrates the effects of social interactions early in life on adult behaviour are mediated by changes in maturation and physiology. Specifically, increases in androgens and glucocorticoids in response to social stimulation seem to play a prominent role in shaping behaviour during development. In addition to the prenatal and early postnatal phase, adolescence has more recently been identified as an important period during which adult behaviour and physiology are shaped by the social environment, which so far has been studied mostly in mammals. We raised zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ) under three environmental conditions differing in social complexity during adolescence\ua0-\ua0juvenile pairs, juvenile groups, and mixed-age groups - and studied males\u2019 behavioural, endocrine, and morphological maturation, and later their adult behaviour.
Results
As expected, group-housed males exhibited higher frequencies of social interactions. Group housing also enhanced song during adolescence, plumage development, and the frequency and intensity of adult courtship and aggression. Some traits, however, were affected more in juvenile groups and others in mixed-age groups. Furthermore, a testosterone peak during late adolescence was suppressed in groups with adults. In contrast, corticosterone concentrations did not differ between rearing environments. Unexpectedly, adult courtship in a test situation was lowest in pair-reared males and aggression depended upon the treatment of the opponent with highest rates shown by group-reared males towards pair-reared males. This contrasts with previous findings, possibly due to differences in photoperiod and the acoustic environment.
Conclusion
Our results support the idea that effects of the adolescent social environment on adult behaviour in vertebrates are mediated by changes in social interactions affecting behavioural and morphological maturation. We found no evidence that long-lasting differences in behaviour reflect testosterone or corticosterone levels during adolescence, although differences between juvenile and mixed-age groups suggest that testosterone and song behaviour during late adolescence may be associated
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