Photon echo without a free induction decay in a double-Lambda system

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel photon-echo sequence in a double-Lambda system that minimizes noise despite imperfect pulses, enabling advanced quantum communication applications like entangled photon generation.

Contribution

The work presents a new photon-echo sequence that reduces noise in a double-Lambda system, facilitating improved quantum information processing.

Findings

Noise added is only 0.019±0.001 relative to shot noise.

Sequence characterized in Pr:YSO crystal.

Enables entangled photon pair generation in different modes.

Abstract

We have characterized a novel photon-echo pulse sequence for a double-$\Lambda$ type energy level system where the input and rephasing transitions are different to the applied $\pi$-pulses. We show that despite having imperfect $\pi$-pulses (associated with large coherent emission due to free induction decay), the noise added is only 0.019$\pm$0.001 relative to the shot noise in the spectral mode of the echo. Using this echo pulse sequence in the `rephased amplified spontaneous emission' (RASE) scheme \cite{Ledingham2010} will allow for generation of entangled photon pairs that are in different frequency, temporal, and potentially spatial modes to any bright driving fields. The coherence and efficiency properties of this sequence were characterized in a Pr:YSO crystal.