Spectroscopic properties of coherently prepared, optically dense atomic media are studied experimentally and analyzed theoretically. It is shown that in such media the power broadening of the resonances can be substantially reduced. A density-dependent spectral narrowing of the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) window and novel, even narrower, resonances superimposed on the EIT line are observed in dense Rb vapor. A nonlinear two-photon spectroscopic technique based on coherent atomic media and combining high resolution with a large signal-to-noise ratio seems feasible.

• Received 18 April 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.2959