Atomic-frequency-comb quantum memory via piecewise adiabatic passage

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method to generate atomic frequency combs in hot atomic vapors using piecewise adiabatic passage, enhancing quantum memory capabilities by leveraging velocity-dependent atomic population transfer.

Contribution

It presents a new technique combining PAP with AFC creation in hot vapors, improving quantum memory storage for telecom photons.

Findings

Demonstrates velocity comb formation due to Doppler effect.

Highlights advantages of PAP over standard methods.

Proposes application to telecom photon storage.

Abstract

In this work, we propose a method to create an atomic frequency comb (AFC) in hot atomic vapors using the piecewise adiabatic passage (PAP) technique. Due to the Doppler effect, the trains of pulses used for PAP give rise to a velocity-dependent transfer of the atomic population from the initial state to the target one, thus forming a velocity comb whose periodicity depends not only on the repetition rate of the applied pulses but also on the specific atomic transitions considered. We highlight the advantages of using this transfer technique with respect to standard methods and discuss, in particular, its application to store a single telecom photon in an AFC quantum memory using a high density Ba atomic vapor.