Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
10:00
Gradient Echo Quantum Memory in Warm Atomic Vapor
Published on: November 11, 2013
13.3K
Image routing via atomic spin coherence
Lei Wang1, Jia-Xiang Sun1, Meng-Xi Luo1
1Key Laboratory of Coherence Light, Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China.
Scientific Reports
|December 15, 2015
Summary
This study demonstrates controllable spatial-frequency routing of optical images using atomic spin coherence and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). The technique allows for all-optical manipulation and routing of stored images in a solid-state medium.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Solid-state physics
- Photonics
Background:
- Coherent optical image storage is crucial for advanced applications.
- Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) enables light storage in atomic media.
- Atomic spin coherence plays a key role in quantum information processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate controllable spatial-frequency routing of stored optical images.
- To investigate the manipulation of image information via atomic spin coherence.
- To explore all-optical control of image routing using EIT.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a solid-state medium driven by EIT for light storage.
- Storing a transverse spatial image within atomic spin coherence.
- Manipulating the frequency and propagation direction of a read control field.
- Employing one or two read control fields for image retrieval.
Main Results:
- Achieved controllable spatial-frequency routing of stored optical images.
- Demonstrated coherent transfer of image information to new spatial-frequency channels.
- Showcased image information conversion into a superposition of spatial-frequency modes using dual read fields.
- Confirmed all-optical and coherent manipulation of image data.
Conclusions:
- The developed technique offers precise, all-optical control over image routing in a solid-state system.
- This method has potential applications in optical signal processing and quantum information technologies.
- Spatial-frequency routing via atomic spin coherence provides a novel approach for image manipulation.
Related Concept Videos
01:03Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
2.2K
NMR-active nuclei have energy levels called 'spin states' that are associated with the orientations of their nuclear magnetic moments. In the absence of a magnetic field, the nuclear magnetic moments are randomly oriented, and the spin states are degenerate. When an external magnetic field is applied, the spin states have only 2 + 1 orientations available to them. A proton with = ½ has two available orientations. Similarly, for a quadrupolar nucleus with a nuclear spin value of one, the...
2.2K
01:08Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin
5.7K
All atomic particles possess an intrinsic angular momentum, or 'spin'. Electrons, protons, and neutrons each have a spin value of ½, although protons and neutrons in nuclei may have higher half-integer spins owing to energetic factors.
Atomic nuclei have a net nuclear spin, , which can have an integer or half-integer value. In atomic nuclei, the spins of protons are paired against each other but not with neutrons, and vice versa. Consequently, an even number of protons does not contribute to...
Atomic nuclei have a net nuclear spin, , which can have an integer or half-integer value. In atomic nuclei, the spins of protons are paired against each other but not with neutrons, and vice versa. Consequently, an even number of protons does not contribute to...
5.7K
01:14Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution
2.6K
Near absolute zero temperatures, in the presence of a magnetic field, the majority of nuclei prefer the lower energy spin-up state to the higher energy spin-down state. As temperatures increase, the energy from thermal collisions distributes the spins more equally between the two states. The Boltzmann distribution equation gives the ratio of the number of spins predicted in the spin −½ (N−) and spin +½ (N+) states.
2.6K
01:05Atomic Nuclei: Magnetic Resonance
1.4K
The number of nuclear spins aligned in the lower energy state is slightly greater than those in the higher energy state. In the presence of an external magnetic field, as the spins precess at the Larmor frequency, the excess population results in a net magnetization oriented along the z axis. When a pulse or a short burst of radio waves at the Larmor frequency is applied along the x axis, the coupling of frequencies causes resonance and flips the nuclear spins of the excess population from the...
1.4K
01:23Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
1.4K
In the absence of an external magnetic field, nuclear spin states are degenerate and randomly oriented. When a magnetic field is applied, the spins begin to precess and orient themselves along (lower energy) or against (higher energy) the direction of the field. At equilibrium, a slight excess population of spins exists in the lower energy state. Because the direction of the magnetic field is fixed as the z-axis, the precessing magnetic moments are randomly oriented around the z-axis.
1.4K
01:20Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
1.9K
Two NMR-active nuclei bonded to a central atom can be involved in geminal or two-bond coupling. Geminal coupling is commonly seen between diastereotopic protons in chiral molecules and unsymmetrical alkenes, among others.
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
1.9K