We examine a quantum memory scheme based on controllable dephasing of atomic coherence of a non-resonant, inhomogeneously broadened Raman transition. We show that it generalizes the physical conditions for time-reversible interaction between light and atomic ensembles from weak to strong fields and from linear to non-linear interactions. We also develop a unified framework for different realizations exploiting either controlled reversible inhomogeneous broadening or atomic frequency combs, and discuss new aspects related to storage and manipulation of quantum states.
We report on an experiment in which orbital angular momentum of light is mapped at the single-photon level into and out of a cold atomic ensemble. Based on the dynamic electromagnetically-induced transparency protocol, the demonstrated optical memory enables the reversible mapping of Laguerre-gaussian modes with preserved handedness of the helical phase structure. The demonstrated capability opens the possibility to the storage of qubits encoded as superpositions of orbital angular momentum states and to multi-dimensional light-matter interfacing.
We demonstrate the reversible mapping of a coherent state of light with mean photon number n-bar ~= 1.1 to and from the hyperfine states of an atom trapped within the mode of a high finesse optical cavity. The coherence of the basic processes is verified by mapping the atomic state back onto a field state in a way that depends on the phase of the original coherent state. Our experiment represents an important step towards the realization of cavity QED-based quantum networks, wherein coherent transfer of quantum states enables the distribution of quantum information across the network.
Optical quantum memory is an essential element for long distance quantum communication and photonic quantum computation protocols. The practical implementation of such protocols requires an efficient quantum memory with long coherence time. Beating the no-cloning limit, for example, requires efficiencies above 50%. An ideal optical fibre loop has a loss of 50% in 100 $mu$ s, and until now no universal quantum memory has beaten this time-efficiency limit. Here, we report results of a gradient echo memory (GEM) experiment in a cold atomic ensemble with a 1/e coherence time up to 1ms and maximum efficiency up to 87$pm$2% for short storage times. Our experimental data demonstrates greater than 50% efficiency for storage times up to 0.6ms. Quantum storage ability is verified beyond the ideal fibre limit using heterodyne tomography of small coherent states.
Quantum memory is important to quantum information processing in many ways: a synchronization device to match various processes within a quantum computer, an identity quantum gate that leaves any state unchanged, and a tool to convert heralded photons to photons-on-demand. In addition to quantum computing, quantum memory would be instrumental for the implementation of long-distance quantum communication using quantum repeaters. The importance of this basic quantum gate is exemplified by the multitude of optical quantum memory mechanisms being studied: optical delay lines, cavities, electromagnetically-induced transparency, photon-echo, and off-resonant Faraday interaction. Here we report on the state-of-the-art in the field of optical quantum memory, including criteria for successful quantum memory and current performance levels.
We describe a reversible quantum interface between an optical and a microwave field using a hybrid device based on their common interaction with a micro-mechanical resonator in a superconducting circuit. We show that, by employing state-of-the-art opto-electro-mechanical devices, one can realise an effective source of (bright) two-mode squeezing with an optical idler (signal) and a microwave signal, which can be used for high-fidelity transfer of quantum states between optical and microwave fields by means of continuous variable teleportation.