Light Storage and Retrieval in an Atomic Tripod System

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum light storage and retrieval protocol using an atomic tripod system with $^{87}$Rb atoms, revealing controllable interference effects and showcasing the system's potential for quantum information applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel light storage method in a tripod atomic system, highlighting its rich dynamics and advantages over traditional $b1$-systems for quantum memory.

Findings

Interference of spin-wave excitations affects retrieved pulse intensity

Storage time, phase, and magnetic field control interference effects

Experimental results agree with theoretical simulations

Abstract

Highly-efficient quantum memories are essential for advancing quantum information processing technologies, including scalable quantum computing and quantum networks. We experimentally demonstrate a light storage and retrieval protocol in a tripod system using an ensemble of laser-cooled $^{87}$Rb atoms. The tripod system, which consists of three ground states and an excited state, offers rich dynamics: its use to coherently store and retrieve a weak probe pulse in the $^{87}$Rb $F=1$ ground state manifold leads to the interference of two spin-wave excitations during storage time that translate to an interference in the peak intensity of the retrieved probe pulse. Our work shows that these interferences, which manifest when varying the pulse sequence or energy level structure, can be controlled experimentally by varying the storage time, optical phase, and magnetic field strength. Theoretical simulations exhibit excellent agreement with the experimental results. This work demonstrates the rich dynamics and versatile capabilities of atomic tripod systems for light storage and retrieval, with key advantages over conventional $\Lambda$-systems, highlighting the potential of atomic tripod systems for applications in quantum information processing, quantum synchronization, and atomic memory protocols.