Autler-Townes Splitting vs Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in Experiments

Abstract: Autler-Townes splitting and electromagnetically induced transparency both yield a transparency window controlled by the pump field, but only electromagnetically induced transparency yields strong transparency for a weak pump field. Some experiments report observation of electromagnetically induced transparency when Autler-Townes splitting has instead been demonstrated. We introduce an objective method, based on Akaike's information criterion, to discern objectively whether electromagnetically induced transparency or Autler-Townes splitting has been seen.