arXiv subjects

D. Felinto

Publications and source records attributed to D. Felinto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

High entanglement regimes in the Weisskopf-Wigner theory for spontaneous decay

In this work we review the Weisskopf-Wigner formalism for spontaneous emission considering the spatial modes of light as well as external atomic degrees of freedom which we introduce in the theory by modeling the atom as a wavepacket in momentum space with a given initial uncertainty. We perform a purity calculation in order to quantify the entanglement encoded in the momentum variables of the atom-photon system. Our purity calculations reveal two high entanglement regimes depending on the initial atomic momentum uncertainty: $1)$ the Recoil entanglement regime (which arises in the small momentum uncertainty region) where recoil effects dominate the mechanisms that originate entanglement, and $2)$ the Doppler entanglement regime (in the large momentum uncertainty region) where homogeneous Doppler shifts in the emitted photon's frequency play the fundamental part in the build up of quantum correlations in the system. Physical considerations are made to explain the nature of each entanglement regime as well as provide their respective thresholds.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Continuous variable entanglement in a cold-atoms mirrorless optical parametric oscillator

In this work, we explore both the internal and external atomic degrees of freedom to observe quantum entanglement between the modes produced by a mirrorless optical parametric oscillator operating below the oscillation threshold in a sample of free-space cold cesium atoms. Using a new heterodyne technique, we recover the covariance matrix that reveals the quantum entanglement for two different pairs of modes, thus demonstrating the generation of four entangled modes in this system. Applications to quantum networks, and the possibilities of studying higher orders of entanglement are a direct consequence of the present study.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Fock-state superradiance in a cold atomic ensemble

A simplified theory for the wavepackets of the photons emitted during the read process of a quantum memory formed by cold atoms is provided. We arrive at analytical expressions for the single- and double-photon emissions, evidencing superradiant features in both cases. In the two-photon case, both photons are emitted in the same spatiotemporal mode, characterizing a superradiant emission of a Fock state of light with two excitations. Experiments confirm the theoretical predictions with a satisfactory agreement.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Experimental Fock-State Superradiance

Superradiance in an ensemble of atoms leads to the collective enhancement of radiation in a particular mode shared by the atoms in their spontaneous decay from an excited state. The quantum aspects of this phenomenon are highlighted when such collective enhancement is observed in the emission of a single quantum of light. Here we report a further step in exploring experimentally the nonclassical features of superradiance by implementing the process not only with single excitations, but also in a two-excitations state. Particularly we measure and theoretically model the wave-packets corresponding to superradiance in both the single-photon and two-photons regimes. Such progress opens the way to the study and future control of the interaction of nonclassical light modes with collective quantum memories at higher photon numbers.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Nonvolatile optical memory via recoil-induced resonance in a pure two-level system

We report on the storage of light via the phenomenon of recoil-induced resonance in a pure two- level system of cold cesium atoms. We use a strong coupling beam and a weak probe beam to couple different external momentum states of the cesium atom via two-photon Raman interaction which leads to the storage of the optical information of the probe beam. We have also measured the probe transmission spectrum, as well as the light storage spectrum which reveals very narrow subnatural resonance features showing absorption and gain. We have demonstrated that this memory presents the unique property of being insensitive to the reading process, which does not destroy the stored information leading to a memory lifetime limited only by the atomic thermal motion.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Narrow band amplification of light carrying orbital angular momentum

We report on the amplification of an optical vortex beam carrying orbital angular momentum via induced narrow Raman gain in an ensemble of cold cesium atoms. A 20\% single-pass Raman gain of a weak vortex signal field is observed with a spectral width of order of 1 MHz, much smaller than the natural width, demonstrating that the amplification process preserves the phase structure of the vortex beam. The gain is observed in the degenerated two-level system associated with the hyperfine transition $6S_{1/2}(F=3)\leftrightarrow 6P_{3/2}(F^{\prime}=2)$ of cesium. Our experimental observations are explained with a simple theoretical model based on a three-level $\Lambda$ system interacting coherently with the weak Laguerre-Gauss field and a strong coupling field, including an incoherent pumping rate between the two degenerate ground-states.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Zero-area single photon pulses

Broadband single photons are usually considered not to couple efficiently to atomic gases because of the large mismatch in bandwidth. Contrary to this intuitive picture, here we demonstrate that the interaction of ultrashort single photons with a dense resonant atomic sample deeply modifies the temporal shape of their wavepacket mode without degrading their non-classical character, and effectively generates zero-area single-photon pulses. This is a clear signature of strong transient coupling between single broadband (THz-level) light quanta and atoms, with intriguing fundamental implications and possible new applications to the storage of quantum information.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Off-axis retrieval of orbital angular momentum of light stored in cold atoms

We report on the storage of orbital angu- lar momentum (OAM) of light of a Laguerre-Gaussian mode in an ensemble of cold cesium atoms and its re- trieval along an axis different from the incident light beam. We employed a time-delayed four-wave mixing configuration to demonstrate that at small angle (2o), after storage, the retrieved beam carries the same OAM as the one encoded in the input beam. A calculation based on mode decomposition of the retrieved beam over the Laguerre-Gaussian basis is in agreement with the experimental observations done at small angle values. However, the calculation shows that the OAM retrieving would get lost at larger angles, reducing the fidelity of such storing-retrieving process. In addition, we have also observed that by applying an external magnetic field to the atomic ensemble the retrieved OAM presents Larmor oscillations, demonstrating the possibility of its manipulation and off-axis retrieval.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Light storage via coherent population oscillation in a thermal cesium vapor

We report on the storage of light via the phenomenon of Coherent Population Oscillation (CPO) in an atomic cesium vapor at room temperature. In the experiment the optical information of a probe field is stored in the CPO of two ground states of a Lambda three-level system formed by the Zeeman sublevels of the hyperfine transition F = 3 - F' = 2 of cesium D2 line. We show directly that this CPO based memory is very insensitive to stray magnetic field inhomogeneities and presents a lifetime which is mainly limited only by atomic motion. A theoretical simulation of the measured spectra was also developed and is in very good agreement with the experiment.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Power-Broadening-Free Correlation Spectroscopy in Cold Atoms

We report a detailed investigation on the properties of correlation spectra for cold atoms under the condition of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT). We describe the transition in the system from correlation to anti-correlation as the intensity of the fields increases. Such transition occurs for laser frequencies around the EIT resonance, which is characterized by a correlation peak. The transition point between correlation and anti-correlation is independent of power broadening and provides directly the ground-state coherence time. We introduce a method to extract in real time the correlation spectra of the system. The experiments were done in two distinct magneto-optical traps (MOT), one for cesium and the other for rubidium atoms, employing different detection schemes. A simplified theory is introduced assuming three-level atoms in $Λ$ configuration interacting with a laser with stochastic phase fluctuations, providing a good agreement with the experimental observations.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2011

Enhanced four-wave mixing via crossover resonance in cesium vapor

We report on the observation of enhanced four-wave mixing via crossover resonance in a Doppler broadened cesium vapor. Using a single laser frequency, a resonant parametric process in a double-$Λ$ level configuration is directly excited for a specific velocity class. We investigate this process in different saturation regimes and demonstrate the possibility of generating intensity correlation and anti-correlation between the probe and conjugate beams. A simple theoretical model is developed that accounts qualitatively well to the observed results.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2011

Electromagnetically induced transparency in inhomogeneously broadened Lambda-transition with multiple excited levels

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) has mainly been modelled for three-level systems. In particular, a considerable interest has been dedicated to the Lambda-configuration, with two ground states and one excited state. However, in the alkali-metal atoms, which are commonly used, hyperfine interaction in the excited state introduces several levels which simultaneously participate in the scattering process. When the Doppler broadening is comparable with the hyperfine splitting in the upper state, the three-level Lambda model does not reproduce the experimental results. Here we theoretically investigate the EIT in a hot vapor of alkali-metal atoms and demonstrate that it can be strongly reduced due to the presence of multiple excited levels. Given this model, we also show that a well-designed optical pumping enables to significantly recover the transparency.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Delayed four- and six-wave mixing in a coherently prepared atomic ensemble

We report on the simultaneous observation, by delayed Bragg diffraction, of four- and six-wave mixing processes in a coherently prepared atomic ensemble consisting of cold cesium atoms. For each diffracted order, we observe different temporal pulse shapes and dependencies with the intensities of the exciting fields, evidencing the different mechanisms involved in each process. The various observations are well described by a simplified analytical theory, which considers the atomic system as an ensemble of three-level atoms in {\Lambda} configuration.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Pulse pair generation from coherently prepared atomic ensembles

We report a detailed investigation on the generation of pulse pairs during the readout of a coherence grating stored in a cold atomic ensemble. The pulse shapes and the split of the retrieved energy between the two pulses are studied as a function of the relative intensities of the two reading fields, and a minimum is observed for the total retrieved energy. We introduce a simplified analytical theory for the process, considering a three-level atomic system, which explains all the most striking experimental features.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Dynamics of a stored Zeeman coherence grating in an external magnetic field

We investigate the evolution of a Zeeman coherence grating induced in a cold atomic cesium sample in the presence of an external magnetic field. The gratings are created in a three-beam light storage configuration using two quasi-collinear writing laser pulses and reading with a counterpropagating pulse after a variable time delay. The phase conjugated pulse arising from the atomic sample is monitored. Collapses and revivals of the retrieved pulse are observed for different polarizations of the laser beams and for different directions of the applied magnetic field. While magnetic field inhomogeneities are responsible for the decay of the coherent atomic response, a five-fold increase in the coherence decay time, with respect to no applied magnetic field, is obtained for an appropriate choice of the direction of the applied magnetic field. A simplified theoretical model illustrates the role of the magnetic field mean and its inhomogeneity on the collective atomic response.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2009

Collapses and revivals of stored orbital angular momentum of light in a cold atomic ensemble

We report on the storage of orbital angular momentum of light in a cold ensemble of cesium atoms. We employ Bragg diffraction to retrieve the stored optical information impressed into the atomic coherence by the incident light fields. The stored information can be manipulated by an applied magnetic field and we were able to observe collapses and revivals due to the rotation of the stored atomic Zeeman coherence for times longer than 15 $μs$.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

Dynamics of saturated Bragg diffraction in a stored light grating in cold atoms

We report on a detailed investigation of the dynamics and the saturation of a light grating stored in a sample of cold cesium atoms. We employ Bragg diffraction to retrieve the stored optical information impressed into the atomic coherence by the incident light fields. The diffracted efficiency is studied as a function of the intensities of both writing and reading laser beams. A theoretical model is developed to predict the temporal pulse shape of the retrieved signal and compares reasonably well with the observed results.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

Towards experimental entanglement connection with atomic ensembles in the single excitation regime

We present a protocol for performing entanglement connection between pairs of atomic ensembles in the single excitation regime. Two pairs are prepared in an asynchronous fashion and then connected via a Bell measurement. The resulting state of the two remaining ensembles is mapped to photonic modes and a reduced density matrix is then reconstructed. Our observations confirm for the first time the creation of coherence between atomic systems that never interacted, a first step towards entanglement connection, a critical requirement for quantum networking and long distance quantum communications.

quant-ph↗