Gradient Echo Memory Research Articles

Spatial-mode storage in a gradient-echo memory

Three-level atomic gradient echo memory (lambda-GEM) is a proposed candidate for efficient quantum storage and for linear optical quantum computation with time-bin multiplexing. In this paper we investigate the spatial multimode properties of a lambda-GEM system. Using a high-speed triggered CCD, we demonstrate the storage of complex spatial modes and images. We also present an in-principle demonstration of spatial multiplexing by showing selective recall of spatial elements of a stored spin wave. Using our measurements, we consider the effect of diffusion within the atomic vapour and investigate its role in spatial decoherence. Our measurements allow us to quantify the spatial distortion due to both diffusion and inhomogeneous control field scattering and compare these to theoretical models.

Photonic quantum memory in two-level ensembles based on modulating the refractive index in time: Equivalence to gradient echo memory

We present a quantum memory protocol that allows us to store light in ensembles of two-level atoms, e.g., rare-earth-metal ions doped into a crystal, by modulating the refractive index of the host medium of the atoms linearly in time. We show that under certain conditions the resulting dynamics is equivalent to that underlying the gradient echo memory protocol, which relies on a spatial gradient of the atomic resonance frequencies. We discuss the prospects for an experimental implementation.

Storage and manipulation of light using a Raman gradient-echo process

The gradient-echo memory (GEM) scheme has potential to be a suitable protocol for storage and retrieval of optical quantum information. In this paper, we review the properties of the Λ-GEM method that stores information in the ground states of three-level atomic ensembles via Raman coupling. The scheme is versatile in that it can store and re-sequence multiple pulses of light. To date, this scheme has been implemented using warm rubidium gas cells. There are different phenomena that can influence the performance of these atomic systems. We investigate the impact of atomic motion and four-wave mixing and present experiments that show how parasitic four-wave mixing can be mitigated. We also use the memory to demonstrate preservation of pulse shape and the backward retrieval of pulses.

Temporally multiplexed storage of images in a gradient echo memory

We study the storage and retrieval of images in a hot atomic vapor using the gradient echo memory protocol. We demonstrate that this technique allows for the storage of multiple spatial modes. We study both spatial and temporal multiplexing by storing a sequence of two different images in the atomic vapor. The effect of atomic diffusion on the spatial resolution is discussed and characterized experimentally. For short storage time a normalized spatial cross-correlation between a retrieved image and its input of 88 % is reported.

Time- and frequency-domain polariton interference

We present experimental observations of interference between an atomic spin coherence and an optical field in a Λ-type gradient echo memory. The interference is mediated by a strong classical field that couples a weak probe field to the atomic coherence through a resonant Raman transition. Interference can be observed between a prepared spin coherence and another propagating optical field, or between multiple Λ transitions driving a single-spin coherence. Our scheme can behave as a controllable time-delayed beamsplitter with dynamically tuneable splitting ratio and allows, in principle, for unity interference visibility.

Coherent control of light pulses stored in a Gradient Echo Memory

We address the problem of storage and retrieval of a time-bin qubit onto an atomic ensemble of three-level atoms of the Λ - type driven by a far detuned coupling field. The atoms are subject to a longitudinal magnetic field which produces a spatially varying Zeeman splitting of the lower levels along the medium and allows for the spatial encoding of the different angular frequencies of the input pulse during the storage phase. The system operates like a quantum optical memory which is referred to as Gradient Echo Memory (GEM) in analogy to the NMR gradient echo. In the conventional approach to GEM-based devices in Λ − type media, the coupling field co-propagates with the probe field and the magnetic field is reversed after the storage phase, thus an echo signal is released from the medium in the forward direction, in contrast to π-pulse based echo memories which produce a time reversed echo signal in the backward direction. In this work we predict that a backward echo pulse can also be obtained in a GEM schema by making use of a counter-propagating coupling field during the reading phase of the process. In addition, we show that for a proper engineering of the control parameters the system can act as an optical router, i.e., part of the stored signal can be released in the forward direction and the rest in the backward one. The current proposal could have potential applications in quantum information processing.

Ac Stark gradient echo memory in cold atoms

The burgeoning fields of quantum computing and quantum key distribution have created a demand for a quantum memory. The gradient echo memory scheme is a quantum memory candidate for light storage that can boast efficiencies approaching unity, as well as the flexibility to work with either two or three level atoms. The key to this scheme is the frequency gradient that is placed across the memory. Currently the three level implementation uses a Zeeman gradient and warm atoms. In this paper we model a new gradient creation mechanism - the ac Stark effect - to provide an improvement in the flexibility of gradient creation and field switching times. We propose this scheme in concert with a move to cold atoms (~1 mK). These temperatures would increase the storage times possible, and the small ensemble volumes would enable large ac Stark shifts with reasonable laser power. We find that memory bandwidths on the order of MHz can be produced with experimentally achievable laser powers and trapping volumes, with high precision in gradient creation and switching times on the order of nanoseconds possible. By looking at the different decoherence mechanisms present in this system we determine that coherence times on the order of 10s of milliseconds are possible, as are delay-bandwidth products of approximately 50 and efficiencies over 90%.

Gradient echo memory in a tripod-like dense atomic medium

We analyze the storage and retrieval of a weak light pulse, having two orthogonally (circularly) polarized components, onto an atomic ensemble of four-level atoms of the tripod type driven by a far detuned coupling field. The atoms are subject to a longitudinal magnetic field which produces a spatially varying Zeeman splitting of the lower levels along the medium and allows for a spatial encoding of the different angular frequencies of the input pulse during the storage phase. A single reversion of the external magnetic field results in a rephasing of the dipoles and leads to the release of the stored signals. The shape of the recovered pulse is a time-reversal copy of the input pulse. The application of an additional reversion of the magnetic field during the storage phase allows the release of a copy of the input pulse without time reversal. We also show that the system may operate like an all-optical multiplexer when considering two impinging optical fields which have orthogonal components. The proposal has potential applications in quantum information processing.

Precision spectral manipulation of optical pulses using a coherent photon echo memory

Photon echo schemes are excellent candidates for high efficiency coherent optical memory. They are capable of high-bandwidth multipulse storage, pulse resequencing and have been shown theoretically to be compatible with quantum information applications. One particular photon echo scheme is the gradient echo memory (GEM). In this system, an atomic frequency gradient is induced in the direction of light propagation leading to a Fourier decomposition of the optical spectrum along the length of the storage medium. This Fourier encoding allows precision spectral manipulation of the stored light. In this Letter, we show frequency shifting, spectral compression, spectral splitting, and fine dispersion control of optical pulses using GEM.

Multimodal Properties and Dynamics of Gradient Echo Quantum Memory

We investigate the properties of a recently proposed gradient echo memory (GEM) scheme for information mapping between optical and atomic systems. We show that GEM can be described by the dynamic formation of polaritons in k space. This picture highlights the flexibility and robustness with regards to the external control of the storage process. Our results also show that, as GEM is a frequency-encoding memory, it can accurately preserve the shape of signals that have large time-bandwidth products, even at moderate optical depths. At higher optical depths, we show that GEM is a high fidelity multimode quantum memory.