Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review Applied

High-bandwidth warm-atom quantum memory using hollow-core photonic crystal fibers

Jed A. Rowland, Christopher Perrella, Andre Nicholas Luiten, R. Gartman, K. T. Kaczmarek, Joshua Nunn, Ben M. Sparkes

Published Jan 24, 2024• 9 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present an experimental realization of a noise-free and high-bandwidth quantum memory scheme using a rubidium vapor that is confined within the hollow core of a photonic crystal fiber. We achieve the same internal efficiencies as similar free-space experiments (30%) for 4.5-ns-long optical pulses but with a 100-fold reduction in the control-field power required. Modeling indicates that this efficiency could be improved to 88% with higher control powers and the implementation of techniques such as light-induced atomic desorption to increase the optical depth. The compactness, robustness, and low drive power of this approach lends itself to direct integration into large-scale fiber-based quantum processors.

DOI
10.1103/physrevapplied.21.014048

Related papers

Efficient optical pumping and high optical depth in a hollow-core photonic-crystal fibre for a broadband quantum memory

Michael Sprague, Duncan G. England, A. Abdolvand +9 more

The generation of large multiphoton quantum states—for applications in computing, metrology and simulation—requires a network of high-efficiency quantum memories capable of storing broadband pulses. Integrating these memories into a fibre offers a number of advantages towards realizing this goal: strong light–matter coupling at low powers, simplified alignment and compatibility with existing photonic architectures. Here, we introduce a large-core kagome-structured hollow-core fibre as a suitable platform for an integrated fibre-based quantum memory with a warm atomic vapour. We demonstrate, for the first time, efficient optical pumping in such a system, where 90 ± 1% of atoms are prepared in the ground state. We measure high optical depths (3 × 10 4 ) and narrow homogeneous linewidths (6 ± 2 MHz) that do not exhibit significant transit-time broadening, showing that we can prepare a Λ-level system in a pure state. Our results establish that kagome fibres are suitable for implementing a broadband, room-temperature quantum memory, as well as a range of nonlinear optical effects.

arXiv:1212.0396•New Journal of Physics•May 20, 2013•35 citations

Application of Hollow Core Photonic Crystal Fibers in Quantum Optics

Wenjia Elser

Non-classical states of light, such as squeezed states, enable a wide variety of scientific and engineering applications in optical communication, precision measurements and quantum computing. Therefore, engineering non-classical states of light in different systems for different purposes is interesting and appealing. Non-classical states of light, particularly squeezed states, can be generated from light in a coherent state or vacuum state by using certain optical nonlinear interactions. To efficiently introduce such optical nonlinear interactions, a high nonlinear coefficient of the medium and high intensity of light in the medium are the key factors, where the hollow core photonic crystal fibers filled with atomic vapor shows their great benefits. In this thesis, we report on our approach to apply hollow core photonic crystal fibers (HCPCFs) with the goal to generate squeezed states using strong optical nonlinearities of atomic vapor. In a HCPCF, light with high intensity has a well confined mode over long distances along the fiber. To apply the HCPCF in squeezed state generation, we experimentally investigated unexpected noise properties of the HCPCF and determined the parameter range to reduce excess noise from the fiber. Furthermore, we have filled the hollow core of a piece of HCPCF with rubidium vapor, which provides a high nonlinearity when the confined light is on resonance with the rubidium dipole transition. Fundamentally, our planned approach relies on self induced transparency (SIT), which offers high nonlinearity and absorption-free propagation at the same time. We have theoretically investigated SIT solitons in rubidium vapor to analyze the required parameters to achieve SIT solitons in our rubidium filled HCPCF. The experimental and theoretical approach presented in this thesis suggests an efficient method for generating squeezed light.

•Jan 1, 2021•0 citations

Low-Light-Level Nonlinear Optics With Rubidium Atoms In Hollow-Core Photonic Band-Gap Fibers

Amar R. Bhagwat

Low-light-level optical nonlinearities are of significant interest for performing operations such as single-photon switching and quantum non-demolition measurements on single-photons. To evoke strong nonlinearities from singlephotons, one can enhance the matter-photon interaction using strongly nonlinear materials such as alkali vapors in combination with an appropriate geometry such as a waveguide, which provides a long interaction length while maintaining a small light mode area. We demonstrate for the first time that such a system can be experimentally realized by loading rubidium vapor inside a hollow-core photonic band-gap fiber. Using the technique of light-induced atomic desorption in this geometry, we have generated optical depths greater than 1000. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) with control powers 1000 times lower than those used for hot vapor cells in a focused beam geometry. Working with such a high aspect ratio geometry requires us to identify and measure the various sources of decoherence via spectroscopy of desorbed atoms in the fiber. Using such techniques, we also estimate the temperature of the desorbing atoms inside the fiber. The desorption mechanism is studied, and we show that pulsed desorption beams of the right amplitude and duration can be used for generating precisely controlled optical depths. Finally, we investigate the use of various buffer gas techniques for increasing the effective transverse path of the atoms as they move across the fiber in order to reduce their ground state decoherence and map this effect as a function of buffer gas pressure.

•Apr 9, 2010•0 citations

Confinement of cold atoms inside hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber

Vlatko Balić, M. Bajczy, Alexander S. Zibrov +2 more

Cold atoms confined inside a hollow core photonic crystal fiber with core diameter of a few photon wavelengths are a promising medium for studying nonlinear optical interactions at extremely low light levels. The high electric field intensity per photon, large optical depths, and interaction lengths not limited by diffraction are some of the unique features of this system. We describe recent progress in our experiment that uses a combination of magnetic trapping and a red-detuned optical dipole trap to transfer cold rubidium atoms into the hollow-core fiber. We present data on transfer efficiencies as well as preliminary experiments towards nonlinear optics with few photon pulses.

•Jan 1, 2007•0 citations

Laser-cooled atoms inside a hollow-core photonic-crystal fiber

Michal Bajcsy, Sebastian Hofferberth, Thibault Peyronel +5 more

We describe the loading of laser-cooled rubidium atoms into a single-mode hollow-core photonic-crystal fiber. Inside the fiber, the atoms are confined by a far-detuned optical trap and probed by a weak resonant beam. We describe different loading methods and compare their trade-offs in terms of implementation complexity and atom-loading efficiency. The most efficient procedure results in loading of $~30$,000 rubidium atoms, which creates a medium with an optical depth of $~180$ inside the fiber. Compared to our earlier study [1] this represents a sixfold increase in the maximum achieved optical depth in this system.

arXiv:1104.5220•Physical Review A•Jun 23, 2011•95 citations

Nonlinear optical interactions with Rubidium atoms confined in a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber

Saikat Ghosh, Amar R. Bhagwat, Christopher Kyle Renshaw +3 more

We use light-induced atomic desorption to produce an appreciable density of Rubidium atoms in a hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber and demonstrate electromagnetically induced transparency at very low light levels .

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2006•3 citations
We present an experimental realization of a noise-free and high-bandwidth quantum memory scheme using a rubidium vapor that is confined within the hollow core of a photonic crystal fiber. We achieve the same internal efficiencies as similar free-space experiments (30%) for 4.5-ns-long optical pulses but with a 100-fold reduction in the control-field power required. Modeling indicates that this efficiency could be improved to 88% with higher control powers and the implementation of techniques such as light-induced atomic desorption to increase the optical depth. The compactness, robustness, and low drive power of this approach lends itself to direct integration into large-scale fiber-based quantum processors.
The generation of large multiphoton quantum states—for applications in computing, metrology and simulation—requires a network of high-efficiency quantum memories capable of storing broadband pulses. Integrating these memories into a fibre offers a number of advantages towards realizing this goal: strong light–matter coupling at low powers, simplified alignment and compatibility with existing photonic architectures. Here, we introduce a large-core kagome-structured hollow-core fibre as a suitable platform for an integrated fibre-based quantum memory with a warm atomic vapour. We demonstrate, for the first time, efficient optical pumping in such a system, where 90 ± 1% of atoms are prepared in the ground state. We measure high optical depths (3 × 10 4 ) and narrow homogeneous linewidths (6 ± 2 MHz) that do not exhibit significant transit-time broadening, showing that we can prepare a Λ-level system in a pure state. Our results establish that kagome fibres are suitable for implementing a broadband, room-temperature quantum memory, as well as a range of nonlinear optical effects.
Non-classical states of light, such as squeezed states, enable a wide variety of scientific and engineering applications in optical communication, precision measurements and quantum computing. Therefore, engineering non-classical states of light in different systems for different purposes is interesting and appealing. Non-classical states of light, particularly squeezed states, can be generated from light in a coherent state or vacuum state by using certain optical nonlinear interactions. To efficiently introduce such optical nonlinear interactions, a high nonlinear coefficient of the medium and high intensity of light in the medium are the key factors, where the hollow core photonic crystal fibers filled with atomic vapor shows their great benefits. In this thesis, we report on our approach to apply hollow core photonic crystal fibers (HCPCFs) with the goal to generate squeezed states using strong optical nonlinearities of atomic vapor. In a HCPCF, light with high intensity has a well confined mode over long distances along the fiber. To apply the HCPCF in squeezed state generation, we experimentally investigated unexpected noise properties of the HCPCF and determined the parameter range to reduce excess noise from the fiber. Furthermore, we have filled the hollow core of a piece of HCPCF with rubidium vapor, which provides a high nonlinearity when the confined light is on resonance with the rubidium dipole transition. Fundamentally, our planned approach relies on self induced transparency (SIT), which offers high nonlinearity and absorption-free propagation at the same time. We have theoretically investigated SIT solitons in rubidium vapor to analyze the required parameters to achieve SIT solitons in our rubidium filled HCPCF. The experimental and theoretical approach presented in this thesis suggests an efficient method for generating squeezed light.
Low-light-level optical nonlinearities are of significant interest for performing operations such as single-photon switching and quantum non-demolition measurements on single-photons. To evoke strong nonlinearities from singlephotons, one can enhance the matter-photon interaction using strongly nonlinear materials such as alkali vapors in combination with an appropriate geometry such as a waveguide, which provides a long interaction length while maintaining a small light mode area. We demonstrate for the first time that such a system can be experimentally realized by loading rubidium vapor inside a hollow-core photonic band-gap fiber. Using the technique of light-induced atomic desorption in this geometry, we have generated optical depths greater than 1000. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) with control powers 1000 times lower than those used for hot vapor cells in a focused beam geometry. Working with such a high aspect ratio geometry requires us to identify and measure the various sources of decoherence via spectroscopy of desorbed atoms in the fiber. Using such techniques, we also estimate the temperature of the desorbing atoms inside the fiber. The desorption mechanism is studied, and we show that pulsed desorption beams of the right amplitude and duration can be used for generating precisely controlled optical depths. Finally, we investigate the use of various buffer gas techniques for increasing the effective transverse path of the atoms as they move across the fiber in order to reduce their ground state decoherence and map this effect as a function of buffer gas pressure.
Cold atoms confined inside a hollow core photonic crystal fiber with core diameter of a few photon wavelengths are a promising medium for studying nonlinear optical interactions at extremely low light levels. The high electric field intensity per photon, large optical depths, and interaction lengths not limited by diffraction are some of the unique features of this system. We describe recent progress in our experiment that uses a combination of magnetic trapping and a red-detuned optical dipole trap to transfer cold rubidium atoms into the hollow-core fiber. We present data on transfer efficiencies as well as preliminary experiments towards nonlinear optics with few photon pulses.
We describe the loading of laser-cooled rubidium atoms into a single-mode hollow-core photonic-crystal fiber. Inside the fiber, the atoms are confined by a far-detuned optical trap and probed by a weak resonant beam. We describe different loading methods and compare their trade-offs in terms of implementation complexity and atom-loading efficiency. The most efficient procedure results in loading of  30~30 30,000 rubidium atoms, which creates a medium with an optical depth of  180~180 180 inside the fiber. Compared to our earlier study [1] this represents a sixfold increase in the maximum achieved optical depth in this system.