Dark Area Theorem

We report the discovery of a "dark area theorem," a new quantum optical relation for propagation of unmatched pulses in thick three-level $\Lambda$-type media. We define dark area and derive the dark area theorem for a coherently prepared and inhomogeneously broadened lambda medium. We also obtain the first equation for the spatial evolution of the dark state amplitude prior to pulse-matching.
Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures