Modeling and efficient computation of nonlinear radiation trapping in three-level atomic vapors

Abstract

In three-level atoms where one level is the ground state and one is a metastable state, even low-intensity resonance radiation can lead to bleaching. This effect causes the radiation trapping to become nonlinear and thus greatly complicates the simulation of such a system. We set up equations to model an optically excited three-level atomic vapor in a two- or three-dimensional cylindrical cell; the model includes the effects of radiation trapping, particle diffusion, and quenching. We then develop a fast and efficient approximate method for the solution of these equations. Results are compared to Monte Carlo simulations; agreement within 15% is achieved.