Fast, noise-free memory for photon synchronization at room temperature

Ran Finkelstein, Eilon Poem, Ohad Michel, Ohr Lahad, Ofer Firstenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Future quantum photonic networks require coherent optical memories for synchronizing quantum sources and gates of probabilistic nature. We demonstrate a fast ladder memory (FLAME) mapping the optical field onto the superposition between electronic orbitals of rubidium vapor. Using a ladder-level system of orbital transitions with nearly degenerate frequencies simultaneously enables high bandwidth, low noise, and long memory lifetime. We store and retrieve 1.7-ns-long pulses, containing 0.5 photons on average, and observe short-time external efficiency of 25%, memory lifetime (1/e) of 86 ns, and below 10−4 added noise photons. Consequently, coupling this memory to a probabilistic source would enhance the on-demand photon generation probability by a factor of 12, the highest number yet reported for a noise-free, room temperature memory. This paves the way toward the controlled production of large quantum States of light from probabilistic photon sources.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereaap8598
Number of pages6
JournalScience Advances
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 Jan 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General
  • General Medicine

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