Quantum interference between the optical Stark effect and resonant harmonic generation in WS2

Abstract: An applied field can modulate optical signals by resonance shifting via the Stark effect. The optical Stark effect (OSE) uses ultrafast light in the transparency region of a material to shift resonances with speeds limited by the pulse duration or system coherence. In this Letter we investigate the OSE in resonant optical harmonic generation (OHG) using the ground state exciton transition of WS2 with a variety of morphologies. Multidimensional pump-harmonic-probe measurements, in which the probe is second- or third-harmonic emission, reveal not only large Stark shifts that are commensurate with the large optical susceptibilities common to WS2 excitons, but also behaviors more complex than simple OSE treatments predict. We show how a new manifestation of the Stark Effect, brought forth by coherent photon exchange between the pump and OHG fundamental fields, can strongly enhance or suppress OHG.