We explore theoretically the consequence of the presence of structured multiple continua on the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect with pulsed lasers. The theory is developed in a rigorous manner using the overlapping resonances perspective. As one consequence of the theory we show that due to the structure in the continuum (which can also be induced optically) the EIT line shapes become asymmetric for a strong coupling piulse.

• Received 6 September 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.75.013424