Analytic solution and pulse area theorem for three-level atoms

We report an analytic solution for a three-level atom driven by arbitrary time-dependent electromagnetic pulses. In particular, we consider far-detuned driving pulses and show an excellent match between our analytic result and the numerical simulations. We use our solution to derive a pulse area theorem for three--level $V$ and $\Lambda$ systems without making the rotating wave approximation. Formulated as an energy conservation law, this pulse area theorem provides a simple picture for a pulse propagation through a three--level media.