Processing telecom wavelength light with an optically tunable memory
David P. Lake, Matthew Mitchell, Paul E. Barclay
Abstract
Information storage and processing devices are essential elements of classical and quantum communication and computing technologies. Optical memories based on optomechanically induced transparency allow storage of optical signals in the motion of mechanical resonators. However, their storage time is limited by intrinsic mechanical dissipation, and deterministic in-situ control and manipulation of the stored signals-i.e. processing-has not been demonstrated. Here, we address both of these limitations using reservoir engineering of the environment coupled to the mechanical resonator. We demonstrate that in-situ optomechanical control of the resonator's mechanical properties can extend the optomechanical memory storage time, as well as deterministically shift the phase of a stored pulse by over 2$\pi$, expanding the information processing toolkit provided by cavity optomechanics.