Coherent interaction of radiation pulses with resonant multilevel media (review)

A review is given of recent theoretical investigations on coherent propagation and nonlinear interaction of multifrequency ultrashort radiation pulses in resonantly absorbing media. An analysis is made of frequency conversion by parametric interaction and stimulated Raman scattering of laser pulses in resonant three-level media. New ways of controlling the parameters of coherent pulses and the use of multifrequency pulses in the spectroscopy of multilevel media are discussed. The experimental capabilities of the investigated effects are considered.