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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Introduction to the Spectroscopy of Rare-Earth Doped Crystals for Quantum Communications

Matthew J. Sellars

Published Jan 1, 2017• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum memories for light are required elements for long-range quantum communication networks. Rare-earth doped crystals are uniquely suited for this application. This tutorial will review the spectroscopy of these centers relating it to quantum storage protocols
DOI
10.1364/cleo_qels.2017.fw1e.1

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Quantum memories for light are important resources as quantum interfaces between light and matter in future quantum information networks. In particular, solid state optical memories based on rare earth ion doped (REID) crystals are of great interest due to their unique physical properties. They provide large number of atoms naturally trapped in a solid with narrow optical and spin transitions. They indeed have excellent optical and spin state coherence times at cryogenic temperatures. Among the various rare-earth doped materials, Pr3+ :Y 2 SiO 5 crystals have shown excellent properties for light storage and exhibit a level scheme suitable for long lived storage in spin states.