title: Phase control of collective quantum dynamics.
abstract: The manipulation of the steady-state behavior of a collection of dipole-interacting three-level atoms in a V or Lambda configuration is investigated as a function of the relative phase of two strong coherent driving fields. For larger samples, the phase is shown to be a convenient parameter to rapidly populate or depopulate completely a trapping state of the ensemble. As applications, we present the appropriately prepared atomic sample as an optical switching device and show its virtues in controlling the collective steady-state resonance fluorescence intensity.
authors.affiliation: Theoretische Quantendynamik, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Freiburg, H.-Herder-Strasse 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Mihai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macovei
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evers
authors.forename: Christoph H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Keitel