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arXiv:1905.05856 · Physical Review Research

Single-photon-level light storage in cold atoms using the Autler-Townes splitting protocol

Erhan Sağlamyürek, Taras Hrushevskyi, Logan Cooke, Anindya Rastogi, Lindsay J. LeBlanc

Published Sep 11, 2019• 20 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In this paper, the authors experimentally demonstrate ultra-low noise storage of single-photon-level light in cold atoms by exploring the exceptional robustness of the Autler-Townes-splitting memory protocol to various noise processes and decoherence in the regime of high-speed operation.
DOI
10.1103/physrevresearch.1.022004

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Abstract Large-scale quantum networks require quantum memories featuring long-lived storage of non-classical light together with efficient, high-speed and reliable operation. The concurrent realization of these features is challenging due to inherent limitations of matter platforms and light–matter interaction protocols. Here, we propose an approach to overcome this obstacle, based on the implementation of the Autler–Townes-splitting (ATS) quantum-memory protocol on Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) platform. We demonstrate a proof-of-principle of this approach by storing short pulses of single-photon-level light as a collective spin-excitation in a rubidium-BEC. For 20 ns long-pulses, we achieve an ultra-low-noise memory with an efficiency of 30% and lifetime of 15 μs. The non-adiabatic character of the ATS protocol (leading to high-speed and low-noise operation) in combination with the intrinsically large atomic densities and ultra-low temperatures of the BEC platform (offering highly efficient and long-lived storage) opens up a new avenue toward high-performance quantum memories.
Neutral atomic gases provide fantastic opportunities for studying and controlling quantum phenomena, ranging from many-body physics to quantum computers. In our research, we use the well-known interactions between cold gases and electromagnetic radiation to harness various quantum degrees of freedom. Quantum memories, used for storing and manipulating photonic signals, will be a key component in quantum communications systems, especially in realizing critical quantum repeater infrastructure. Cold atoms have significant potential as high performance spin-wave quantum memories, due to the long storage times associated with low temperature and slow thermal diffusion. In our work, we demonstrate two memory protocols in ultracold (sometimes Bose-condensed) atoms, which hold the potential for high-performance light storage: the Autler-Townes splitting (ATS) and superradiant approaches. These methods provide a path towards practical implementations in both ground- and satellite-based quantum communications systems, and we are working on both increasing performance and developing practical implementations.
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