| Atomic coherence and quantum interference effects in quantum optics and laser physics and their applications are investigated. It is shown that, even for an atom in free space, complete quenching or control of spontaneous emission is possible. An optical magnetometer based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is analyzed. Utilizing the different orientation characteristics for different field polarizations, the magnitude and orientation of an applied magnetic field can be measured. The absorption/dispersion properties of an ensemble of coherently driven atoms in a modified reservoir such as the Photonic Band Gap (PBG) structure are studied, and it is found that the enhanced index of refraction can be achieved without suffering from the absorption of the coherent driving field. |
