Efficient quantum memory using a weakly absorbing sample

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum memory with 58% efficiency using a cavity-enhanced atomic frequency comb technique in a praseodymium-doped crystal, showing the potential for efficient, long-duration, multi-mode quantum storage.

Contribution

It introduces a cavity-enhanced AFC quantum memory achieving high efficiency and long storage times, advancing practical quantum memory development.

Findings

Achieved 58% storage and retrieval efficiency.

Demonstrated multi-mode capacity of AFC in a cavity.

Showed feasibility of long, on-demand quantum storage.

Abstract

A light-storage experiment with a total (storage and retrieval) efficiency $\eta=58 \pm 5%$ is carried out by enclosing a sample, with a single pass absorption of 10%, in an impedance-matched cavity. The experiment is carried out using the Atomic Frequency Comb (AFC) technique in a praseodymium-doped crystal ($0.05%Pr^{3+}:Y_2SiO_5$) and the cavity is created by reflection coating the crystal surfaces. The AFC technique has previously by far demonstrated the highest multi-mode capacity of all quantum memory concepts tested experimentally. We claim that the present work shows that it is realistic to create efficient, on-demand, long storage time AFC memories.