Light storage in a magnetically-dressed optical lattice

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates enhanced hyperfine coherence times and coherent light storage in a magnetically-dressed optical lattice of rubidium atoms, utilizing differential Stark shift compensation and a magic magnetic field.

Contribution

First experimental demonstration of light storage with extended coherence times using the magic field technique in an optical lattice.

Findings

Achieved 0.32 s light storage lifetime in rubidium atoms.

Enhanced hyperfine coherence times using differential Stark shift compensation.

Validated the effectiveness of the magic magnetic field in a one-dimensional optical lattice.

Abstract

Differential Stark shift compensation for ground state $^{87}$Rb atoms trapped in an elliptically polarized optical lattice and "magic" magnetic field, was recently proposed and demonstrated experimentally by N. Lundblad {\it et al.}, arXiv:0912.1528 and analyzed theoretically by A. Derevianko, arXiv:0912.3233. Here we demonstrate for the first time enhanced hyperfine coherence times using the magic field technique. We observe coherent light storage with a 0.32 s lifetime in an atomic Rb gas confined in a one dimensional optical lattice and magnetic field.