Weak-Value Amplification of light deflection by a dark atomic ensemble

Abstract

We study the coherent propagation of light whose dynamics is governed by the effective Schrödinger equation derived in a magneto-optically-manipulated atomic ensemble with a four-level tripod configuration for electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). The small transverse deflection of an optical beam, which is ultra-sensitive to the EIT effect, could be drastically amplified via a weak measurement with an appropriate preselection and postselection of the polarization state. The physical mechanism is explained as the effect of wavepacket reshaping, which results in an enlarged group velocity in the transverse direction.