Fast, noise-free memory for photon synchronization at room temperature.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 29349302.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.aap8598 and PMC identifier 5771694.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC.
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Abstract
Future quantum photonic networks require coherent optical memories for synchronizing quantum sources and gates of probabilistic nature. We demonstrate a fast ladder memory (FLAME) mapping the optical field onto the superposition between electronic orbitals of rubidium vapor. Using a ladder-level system of orbital transitions with nearly degenerate frequencies simultaneously enables high bandwidth, low noise, and long memory lifetime. We store and retrieve 1.7-ns-long pulses, containing 0.5 photons on average, and observe short-time external efficiency of 25%, memory lifetime (1/<i>e</i>) of 86 ns, and below 10<sup>-4</sup> added noise photons. Consequently, coupling this memory to a probabilistic source would enhance the on-demand photon generation probability by a factor of 12, the highest number yet reported for a noise-free, room temperature memory. This paves the way toward the controlled production of large quantum states of light from probabilistic photon sources.