Atomic Frequency Comb storage as a slow-light effect

TL;DR

This paper reveals that Atomic Frequency Comb (AFC) storage functions as a slow-light effect, linking it to existing slow-light protocols, with experimental validation in thulium doped YAG crystals.

Contribution

It demonstrates the close relationship between AFC and slow-light protocols, providing a new classification and experimental evidence in solid-state media.

Findings

AFC acts as a slow-light effect in quantum storage.

Experimental verification in Tm3+:YAG confirms the theoretical link.

Classification of AFC and slow-light protocols is proposed.

Abstract

Atomic Frequency Comb (AFC) protocol has been particularly successful recently to demonstrate the storage of quantum information in a solid medium (rare-earth doped crystals). The AFC is inspired by the photon-echo technique. We show in this paper that the AFC is actually closely related to the slow-light based storage protocols extensively used in atomic vapours. Experimental verifications are performed in thulium doped YAG (Tm3+:YAG). We clarify the interplay between absorption and dispersion and propose a classification of the existing protocols.