Optimal light storage with full pulse shape control

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates experimentally optimized light storage and retrieval in atomic ensembles with arbitrary pulse shaping, achieving near-fundamental efficiency limits and enabling precise control over the output pulse profile.

Contribution

It introduces a method for full pulse shape control in light storage, approaching efficiency limits and applicable across various systems.

Findings

Achieved near-maximum storage efficiency in warm Rb vapor.

Demonstrated precise retrieval into arbitrary temporal profiles.

Potential applications include optical qubits and controlled partial retrieval.

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate optimal storage and retrieval of light pulses of arbitrary shape in atomic ensembles. By shaping auxiliary control pulses, we attain efficiencies approaching the fundamental limit and achieve precise retrieval into any predetermined temporal profile. Our techniques, demonstrated in warm Rb vapor, are applicable to a wide range of systems and protocols. As an example, we present their potential application to the creation of optical time-bin qubits and to controlled partial retrieval.