arXiv:1604.06049 · Physical Review Letters
High-Capacity Angularly Multiplexed Holographic Memory Operating at the Single-Photon Level
Radosław Chrapkiewicz, Michał Dąbrowski, Wojciech Wasilewski
Abstract
We experimentally demonstrate an angularly multiplexed holographic memory capable of intrinsic generation, storage, and retrieval of multiple photons, based on an off-resonant Raman interaction in warm rubidium-87 vapors. The memory capacity of up to 60 independent atomic spin-wave modes is evidenced by analyzing angular distributions of coincidences between Stokes and time-delayed anti-Stokes light, observed down to the level of single spin-wave excitation during the several-microsecond memory lifetime. We also propose how to practically enhance rates of single- and multiple-photon generation by combining our multimode emissive memory with existing fast optical switches.