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Gradient Echo Quantum Memory in Warm Atomic Vapor
Published on: November 11, 2013
All optical waveguiding in a coherent atomic rubidium vapor.
Praveen K Vudyasetu1, David J Starling, John C Howell
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA. praveen@pas.rochester.edu
Physical Review Letters
|April 28, 2009
Summary
Researchers created an all-optical waveguide in atomic rubidium vapor using a Laguerre Gaussian laser. This waveguide confines light beams, showing potential for optical devices.
Area of Science:
- Atomic physics
- Nonlinear optics
- Quantum optics
Background:
- Coherent Raman processes enable light-matter interactions.
- Optical waveguides are crucial for integrated photonics.
- Laguerre Gaussian beams possess unique orbital angular momentum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate an all-optical waveguide imprinted by a low-power laser.
- To investigate the propagation characteristics of a signal beam within the waveguide.
- To analyze the coupling efficiency of the signal beam into the waveguide.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a coherent Raman process in warm atomic rubidium vapor.
- Employing a low-power Laguerre Gaussian control laser beam to imprint the waveguide.
- Propagating a signal beam through the imprinted waveguide.
Main Results:
- An all-optical waveguide was successfully imprinted.
- The signal beam propagated with a small spot size over several diffraction lengths.
- Signal beam coupling efficiency showed a linear dependence on signal power.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated a novel method for creating all-optical waveguides.
- The imprinted waveguides exhibit good beam confinement properties.
- Linear relationship between coupling efficiency and signal power offers control over light propagation.
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