Controllable Kerr nonlinearity with vanishing absorption in a four-level inverted-Y atomic system

The giant enhancement of Kerr nonlinearity in a four-level inverted-Y atomic system is investigated theoretically. Compared with that generated in a generic three-level system, the Kerr nonlinearity can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude with vanishing linear absorption. The physical mechanism leading to the giant enhancement of Kerr nonlinearity is also discussed.