Effect of the local field on transient processes in a dense ensemble of two-level atoms

Transient processes are analyzed based on modified Bloch equations describing the interaction of optical radiation with dense resonant media with allowance for dipole-dipole interaction between atoms (the local-field effect). An analytical solution to the equation for the population difference of resonant atomic levels, taking into account the up-conversion processes, is obtained for a rectangular pulse in the quasi-stationary approximation. Computer simulation is performed for the kinetics of the population difference of resonant atomic levels in the field of a long sine-shaped pulse. It is shown that the time dynamics of the population difference of resonant atomic levels manifests characteristic features inherent in the intrinsic optical bistability effect under an adiabatically slow variation of the acting field