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 highl
ights 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 multi-mode quantum memory.
We propose a photon echo quantum memory scheme using detuned Raman coupling to long lived ground states. In contrast to previous 3-level schemes based on controlled reversible inhomogeneous broadening that use sequences of $pi$-pulses, the scheme doe
s not require accurate control of the coupling dynamics to the ground states. We present a proof of principle experimental realization of our proposal using rubidium atoms in a warm vapour cell. The Raman resonance line is broadened using a magnetic field that varies linearly along the direction of light propagation. Inverting the magnetic field gradient rephases the atomic dipoles and re-emits the light pulse in the forward direction.
