# Direct Imaging of Slow, Stored, and Stationary EIT Polaritons

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates direct imaging of slow, stationary, and stored EIT polaritons in cold Rb87 atoms, showing precise control over their group velocity and comparing different control field configurations.

## Contribution

It provides the first direct imaging of stationary and slow EIT polaritons in cold atoms, with detailed analysis of control field effects and comparison to numerical models.

## Key findings

- Controlled the group velocity of stationary light via control field power ratio.
- Observed negligible difference between monochromatic and bichromatic control fields.
- Validated numerical models with direct imaging data.

## Abstract

Stationary and slow light effects are of great interest for quantum information applications. Using laser-cooled Rb87 atoms we have performed side imaging of our atomic ensemble under slow and stationary light conditions, which allows direct comparison with numerical models. The polaritions were generated using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), with stationary light generated using counter-propagating control fields. By controlling the power ratio of the two control fields we show fine control of the group velocity of the stationary light. We also compare the dynamics of stationary light using monochromatic and bichromatic control fields. Our results show negligible difference between the two situations, in contrast to previous work in EIT based systems.