Propagation of Airy beams in a close-Λ electromagnetically induced transparency system.

We have theoretically studied the propagation of Airy beams in a close- Λ three-level atomic vapor which is coupled with two optical fields and a microwave field. The analytical expression of susceptibility for the probe beam is deduced under EIT condition. Due to the role of the microwave field, the refractive index of atomic medium for the probe beam is periodically varying along the propagation direction. By utilizing the S-matrix, we find that the acceleration of Airy beams can be feasibly manipulated and modulated in a wavy parabolic way. This self-bending with special wavy shape may afford potential applications in accelerating microparticle along a wavy parabolic path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]