Photon echo quantum memory: traditional and new approaches to implementation

S. A. Moiseev, K. I. Gerasimov, Mansur M. Minnegaliev +3 more

Based on new obtained analytical results, the main properties of photon echo quantum memory protocols are analysed and discussed together with recently achieved experimental results. The main attention is paid to studying the influence of spectral dispersion and nonlinear interaction of light pulses with resonant atoms. The distinctive features of the effect of spectral dispersion on the quantum storage of broadband signal pulses in the studied echo protocols are identified and discussed. Using photon echo area theorem, closed analytical solutions for echo protocols of quantum memory are obtained, describing the storage of weak and intense signal pulses, allowing us to find the conditions for the implementation of high efficiency in the echo protocols under strong nonlinear interaction of signal and control pulses with atoms. The key existing practical problems and the ways to solve them in realistic experimental conditions are outlined. We also briefly discuss the potential of using the considered photon echo quantum memory protocols in a quantum repeater.

Masaharu Mitsunaga

Khabat Heshami

Quantum information processing promises to have transformative impacts on information and communication science and technology. Photonic implementation of quantum information processing is among successful candidates for implementation of quantum computation and is an essential part of quantum communication. Linear optical quantum computation, specifically the KLM scheme, and quantum repeaters are prominent candidates for practical photonic quantum computation and long-distance quantum communication. Quantum memories for photons are key elements for any practical implementation of these schemes. Practical quantum memories require theoretical and experimental investigations into quantum memory protocols and physical systems for implementations. The present thesis is focused on studying new approaches toward practical solid-state based quantum memories. First, I present a proposal for a new quantum memory protocol called the controllable-dipole quantum memory. It represents a protocol, in a two-level system, without any optical control that is shown to be equivalent to the Raman type-quantum memory. Then I include our studies on the quantum memory based on the refractive index modulation of the host medium. It is shown that it can resemble the gradient echo quantum memory without a spatial gradient in the external field. These two protocols can be implemented in rare-earth doped crystals. With regards to using new physical systems, I present a proposal based on nitrogen vacancy centers. This may pave the way toward micron-scale on-chip quantum memories that may contribute to the implementation of integrated quantum photonics. Finally, I studied the precision requirements for the spin echo technique. This technique is necessary to extend the storage time in solid-state quantum memories, in which the coherence times are limited by spin inhomogeneous broadening.

Ahdiyeh Delfan Abazari

Wolfgang Tittel, Mikael Afzelius, T. Chanelière +4 more

Abstract Many applications of quantum communication crucially depend on reversible transfer of quantum states between light and matter. Motivated by rapid recent developments in theory and experiment, we review research related to quantum memory based on a photon‐echo approach in solid state material with emphasis on use in a quantum repeater. After introducing quantum communication, the quantum repeater concept, and properties of a quantum memory required to be useful in a quantum repeater, we describe the historical development from spin echoes, discovered in 1950, to photon‐echo quantum memory. We present a simple theoretical description of the ideal protocol, and comment on the impact of a non‐ideal realization on its quantum nature. We extensively discuss rare‐earth‐ion doped crystals and glasses as material candidates, elaborate on traditional photon‐echo experiments as a test‐bed for quantum state storage, and describe the current state‐of‐the‐art of photon‐echo quantum memory. Finally, we give a brief outlook on current research.

В. В. Самарцев, В. А. Зуйков, L. A. Nefedev