Optical pulse propagation in inhomogeneously broadened V-type three-level media

We have explored properties of V-type three-level media that are inhomogeneously (Doppler) broadened. Specially, we investigate how two optical pulses of different frequencies change their temporal shape while propagating inside such a medium.;We have found soliton solutions that have the sech-shape for inhomogeneously broadened V-type media and show that the propagation dynamics of two 'matched' (i.e. sharing same time envelope) pulses in a V-type medium is similar to that of an equivalent single pulse in a two-level medium. This result is used to derive a new area theorem for V-type media and to show that the 'matched' pulses become pairs of sech-type solitons during propagation. Numerical experiments support these analytical predictions.;We also present the mathematical theory of the resonant interaction of three level atomic media with light when the input pulses are arbitrary (i.e. not 'matched') by using the inverse scattering transformation. We have found a Lax pair for the Schrodinger and Maxwell equations of Doppler broadened V-type media. By using this Lax pair, we find the evolution equations for the scattering data. This leads to new types of soliton solutions for the V-media.