We demonstrate the efficient generation of Raman sidebands in a medium coherently prepared in a dark state by continuous-wave low-intensity laser radiation. Our experiment is performed in sodium vapor excited in Λ configuration on the D1 line by two laser fields of resonant frequencies ω1 and ω2, and probed by a third field ω3. First-order sidebands for frequencies ω1, ω2 and up to the third-order sidebands for frequency ω3 are observed. The generation starts at a power as low as 10 microwatt for each input field. Dependencies of the intensities of both input and generated waves on the frequency difference (ω1 − ω2), on the frequency ω3 and on the optical density are investigated.42.50. Gy, 32.80.Qk, 42.50.Hz
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.