Fast all-optical nuclear spin echo technique based on EIT

TL;DR

This paper introduces a rapid all-optical nuclear spin echo method using EIT, enabling efficient coherence measurement and magnetic field compensation without prior preparation, suitable for high-temperature conditions.

Contribution

It presents a novel all-optical spin echo technique based on EIT that simplifies the process and extends applicability to challenging conditions like high temperatures.

Findings

Successfully measured nuclear spin coherence in rare-earth ions.

Demonstrated magnetic field compensation using the spin echo sequence.

Achieved high-temperature coherence measurement up to 11 K.

Abstract

We demonstrate an all-optical Raman spin echo technique, using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) to create the different pulses of the spin echo sequence: initialization, pi-rotation, and readout. The first pulse of the sequence induces coherence directly from a mixed state, and the technique is used to measure the nuclear spin coherence of an inhomogeneously broadened ensemble of rare-earth ions (Pr$^{3+}$). In contrast to previous experiments it does not require any preparatory hole burning pulse sequences, which greatly shortens the total duration of the sequence. The effect of the different pulses is characterized by quantum state tomography and is compared with simulations. We demonstrate two applications of the technique by using the spin echo sequence to accurately compensate a magnetic field across our sample, and to measure the coherence time at high temperatures up to 11 K, where standard preparation techniques are difficult to implement. We explore the potential of the technique and possible applications.