We develop a theory of near-resonant four-wave mixing induced by broad-bandwidth chaotic fields in a medium composed of two-level atoms. By solving the equations of motion for the elements of the atomic density matrix using an appropriate decorrelation approximation, we derive an analytic expression for the frequency spectrum of the signal wave for the case of the bandwidth of the fluctuations of the pump field exceeding the other relaxation rates in the problem. The probe wave is considered weak and of arbitrary bandwidth. The theory is valid for pump intensities up to and exceeding the bandwidth-dependent saturation value. Finally, we show how the frequency spectrum is modified if account is taken of atomic motion. The theoretical results are of direct relevance to practical experiments involving broad-bandwidth pulsed lasers and employing an atomic vapor as the nonlinear medium.

• Received 26 December 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.46.2718