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Quantum Storage and Retrieval of Light by Sweeping the Atomic Frequency

Hamidreza Kaviani, Mohammadsadegh Khazali, Roohollah Ghobadi, Ehsan Zahedinejad, Christoph Simon

Published Aug 18, 2016• 3 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We propose a quantum memory protocol based on dynamically changing the resonance frequency of an ensemble of two-level atoms. By sweeping the atomic frequency in an adiabatic fashion, photons are reversibly transferred into atomic coherences. We present a polaritonic description for this type of storage, which shares some similarities with electromagnetically induced transparency based quantum memories. On the other hand the proposed memory is also linked to the gradient echo memory due to the effective spatial gradient that pulses experience in the medium. We discuss a possible implementation of the protocol in hollow-core photonic crystal fibers.

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We propose a quantum memory protocol based on dynamically changing the resonance frequency of an ensemble of two-level atoms. By sweeping the atomic frequency in an adiabatic fashion, photons are reversibly transferred into atomic coherences. We present a polaritonic description for this type of storage, which shares some similarities with electromagnetically induced transparency based quantum memories. On the other hand the proposed memory is also linked to the gradient echo memory due to the effective spatial gradient that pulses experience in the medium. We discuss a possible implementation of the protocol in hollow-core photonic crystal fibers.
We propose a quantum memory protocol based on dynamically changing the resonance frequency of an ensemble of two-level atoms. By sweeping the atomic frequency in an adiabatic fashion, photons are reversibly transferred into atomic coherences. We present a polaritonic description for this type of storage, which shares some similarities with electromagnetically induced transparency based quantum memories. On the other hand the proposed memory is also linked to the gradient echo memory due to the effective spatial gradient that pulses experience in the medium. We discuss a possible implementation of the protocol in hollow-core photonic crystal fibers.
We study the influence of a lossless material medium on the coherent storage and quantum-state transfer of a quantized probe light in an ensemble of $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type atoms. The medium is modeled as uniformly distributed two-level atoms with the same energy level spacing, coupling to a probe light. This coupled system can be simplified to a collection of two-mode polaritons which couple to one transition of the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type atoms. We show that, when the other transition of $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type atoms is controlled by a classical light, electromagnetically induced transparency can also occur for the polaritons. In this case the coherent storage and quantum transfer for photon states are achievable through novel dark states with respect to the polaritons. By calculating the corresponding dispersion relation, we find that the ensemble of three-level atoms with $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-type transitions may serve as quantum memory for it slows or even stops light propagation through the mechanism of electromagnetically induced transparency.
We demonstrate a hybrid quantum memory that combines Gradient Echo Memory (GEM) and Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) protocols for reversible mapping between light and atomic coherence. By leveraging GEM and EIT complementarity, we realize time-to-frequency and frequency-to-time conversion mechanisms for spectro-temporal modes. This capability provides a versatile tool for quantum communication, where coherent frequency-time conversion enhances network interoperability. In addition, the protocol may enable fundamental studies of atomic coherence, including investigations of Rydberg polaritons and mapping of single Rydberg excitations and ionic impurities.
A quantum memory for light is expected to play a crucial role in quantum communication protocols and distributed quantum computing. In addition to storage and buffering, a quantum memory can be used for manipulations of stored states to allow more complex quantum network operations. In this work, we demonstrate a quantum-compatible in-memory Fourier transform using a combination of two well-established quantum memory protocols: Gradient Echo Memory and Electromagnetically Induced Transparency. Our experiment is realized using an ensemble of rubidium atoms that are laser cooled in an elongated magneto-optic trap to maximize optical depth. The results of our time-frequency Fourier transform can be understood as a temporal double slit. We show that the interference between time-separated pulses depends on the relative phase and time between the pulses of light. The use of quantum memory protocols enables us to illuminate exactly where and how interference occurs between time-separated pulses. Time-frequency Fourier manipulation is a well-established technique in classical optical systems. Our combination of Fourier manipulation and quantum-compatible memory could be used to bring similar capability to quantum optical systems.
The absorption of broadband photons in atomic ensembles requires either an effective broadening of the atomic transition linewidth, or an off-resonance Raman interaction. Here, we propose a scheme for a quantum memory capable of storing and retrieving ultrafast photons in an ensemble of two-level atoms using a propagation medium with a time–dependent refractive index generated from aligning an ensemble of gas-phase diatomic molecules. The refractive index dynamics generates an effective longitudinal inhomogeneous broadening of the two-level transition. We numerically demonstrate this scheme for storage and retrieval of a weak pulse as short as 50 fs, with a storage time of up to 20 ps. With additional optical control of the molecular alignment dynamics, the storage time can be extended about one nanosecond leading to time–bandwidth products of order 104. This scheme could in principle be achieved using either a hollow-core fibre or a high-pressure gas cell, in a gaseous host medium comprised of diatomic molecules and a two-level atomic vapour at room temperature.