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Stopped light with storage times greater than one second using electromagnetically induced transparency in a solid
J J Longdell1, E Fraval, M J Sellars
1Laser Physics Centre, Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. jevon.longdell@anu.edu.au
Physical Review Letters
|August 11, 2005
Summary
Researchers achieved over one second of light storage in a praseodymium-doped solid-state material using electromagnetically induced transparency. This breakthrough utilizes long coherence times for hyperfine transitions, paving the way for advanced optical memory.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Solid-state physics
- Materials science
Background:
- Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) enables light storage by creating a narrow transparency window in an otherwise opaque medium.
- Solid-state systems offer advantages for quantum information processing due to their robustness and potential for integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate long-duration light storage in a solid-state system.
- To investigate the potential of praseodymium-doped Y2SiO5 for optical memory applications.
- To explore the use of hyperfine transitions for achieving long coherence times.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a praseodymium-doped Y2SiO5 crystal.
- Employing counter-propagating probe and coupling beams for efficient beam separation.
- Leveraging the long coherence times of hyperfine transitions in the doped material.
Main Results:
- Achieved light storage for durations exceeding one second.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of using solid-state systems for long-term light storage.
- Observed low storage efficiency due to the sample's low optical thickness, which is identified as a rectifiable issue.
Conclusions:
- Praseodymium-doped Y2SiO5 is a promising material for long-duration light storage.
- Hyperfine transitions in solid-state systems are crucial for achieving extended coherence times.
- The demonstrated counter-propagating beam configuration simplifies experimental setup and beam separation.