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We have studied phase dynamics in EIT in a dense rubidium vapor. We have observed a very fast growth of the absorption when the phase of the optical field was abruptly changed, followed by a slow return to the steady state absorption. Then the transmission was slowly restored to stationary magnitude. The recovery time is on the order of the transit time of the atom flying through the laser beam and decreases with increasing optical power. The fast variation of the transparency is proportional to the phase deviation. The obtained result can be used for the fast control of EIT, for example, in an optical switch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the selective reflection from the interface between a dense rubidium (Rb) atomic vapor and a transparent dielectric. A remarkable narrowing of the spectrum, which can be used to improve the resolution of spectroscopy of dense media, has been demonstrated. This narrowing results from the reduction of the dipole–dipole interaction between atoms when the Rb vapor is excited by a strong pump laser. By using this technique, we have resolved the hyperfine structure of the Rb D2 line, which is hidden by collisional broadening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]