Solid state atomic processors for light

V Crozatier,A Louchet,F Bretenaker,V Lavielle,T Chaneli\`Ere,J.-L Le Gou\"Et,F Goldfarb,I Lorger\'E,G Gorju

doi:10.2971/jeos.2008.08025

Abstract

This paper is devoted to optics in rare earth ion doped crystal at low temperature. In cryogenic conditions, interesting features come from absorption rather than from transparency. The optical transition linewidth is considerably reduced, which also corresponds to a strong increase of quantum state lifetime. Linewidth narrowing leads to signal processing applications. Specific use for RADAR warning receivers is considered here. Then the quantum lifetime extension is illustrated by coherent transient processes that represent necessary experimental steps on the way to quantum information research.

Highlights

Solid state materials are extensively used as non-linear optical media
All these room temperature properties enjoy a widespread usage. Cryogenic temperature properties, such as narrow linewidth, are still largely ignored, they are common in well known optical materials such as rare earth ion-doped crystals (REIC)
Since narrow linewidth means long quantum state lifetime, basic science related to quantum information benefits from the attention paid to low temperature conditions

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Solid state materials are extensively used as non-linear optical media. In those applications the non-linear susceptibility is the key parameter. Cryogenic temperature properties, such as narrow linewidth, are still largely ignored, they are common in well known optical materials such as rare earth ion-doped crystals (REIC). The inhomogeneous linewidth can be regarded as the spectral bandwidth of an optically carried signal analog processor In this respect SHB materials can outdo any existing electronic processor and appear to be potentially attractive microwave photonics components, offering an instantaneous bandwidth in excess of 10 GHz with a channel capacity larger than 104. The crosscorrelation function of the encoded RADAR pulse and the return signal is stored as a spectral grating within the SHB material and retrieved by absorption spectroscopy [3] Another application has been considered for array antennas. In this paper we report on our recent investigation of this superposition lifetime in Tm3+:YAG

Spectrum photography architecture

Rainbow analyzer

Distinctive features of each architecture

OPTICAL EXCITATION OF NUCLEAR SPIN COHERENCE

CONCLUSION