arXiv subjects

Elizabeth Robertson

Publications and source records attributed to Elizabeth Robertson.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Optically Writable Atomic Vapor Memory as a Substrate for Optical Reservoir Computing

We present an optical random access memory (ORAM) based on warm cesium (Cs) atomic vapor and demonstrate its operation as the physical substrate of a reservoir computer. Information is stored in the hyperfine population distribution of a Cs ensemble via optical pumping and retrieved through differential probe absorption. Spatial multiplexing via acousto-optic deflection provides eight addressable memory rails able to store up to 3.8 bits of information per rail. Employing this platform as a temporally multiplexed reservoir, we achieve a kernel rank ($\mathrm{KR}= 8.8 \pm 0.4$), and a minimum bit error rate of $0.02 \pm 0.01$ on the Exclusive-or (XOR) benchmark. We find the limited memory lifetime constrains the achievable temporal depth, encouraging further research into fast addressable memories. This constitutes the first demonstration of a free-space, optically writable atomic RAM as a substrate in an optical reservoir computing system.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

A digital twin of atomic ensemble quantum memories

Accurate performance estimation of experimentally demonstrated quantum memories is key to understand the nuances in their deployment in photonic quantum networks. While several software packages allow for accessible quantum simulation, they often do not account for the loss and noise in physical devices. We present a framework for modeling ensemble-based atomic quantum memories using the quantum channel formalism. We provide a Kraus matrix representation of several experimentally implemented state-of-the art quantum memories and give an overview of their most important performance metrics. To showcase the applicability of this approach, we implement a memory-assisted quantum token protocol within our simulation framework. Our digital twin model is readily extensible to other memory implementations and easily compatible with existing frameworks for performance simulation of experimental quantum networks.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

On-demand storage and retrieval of single photons from a semiconductor quantum dot in a room-temperature atomic vapor memory

Interfacing light from solid-state single-photon sources with scalable and robust room-temperature quantum memories has been a long-standing challenge in photonic quantum information technologies due to inherent noise processes and time-scale mismatches between the operating conditions of solid-state and atomic systems. Here, we demonstrate on-demand storage and retrieval of single photons from a semiconductor quantum dot device in a room-temperature atomic vapor memory. A deterministically fabricated InGaAs quantum dot light source emits single photons at the wavelength of the cesium D1 line at 895\,nm which exhibit an inhomogeneously broadened linewidth of 5.1(7)\,GHz and are subsequently stored in a low-noise ladder-type cesium vapor memory. We show control over the interaction between the single photons and the atomic vapor, allowing for variable retrieval times of up to 19.8(3)\,ns at an internal efficiency of $\eta_\mathrm{int}=0.6(1)\%$. Our results significantly expand the application space of both room-temperature vapor memories and semiconductor quantum dots in future quantum network architectures.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Machine learning optimal control pulses in an optical quantum memory experiment

Efficient optical quantum memories are a milestone required for several quantum technologies including repeater-based quantum key distribution and on-demand multi-photon generation. We present an efficiency optimization of an optical electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) memory experiment in a warm cesium vapor using a genetic algorithm and analyze the resulting waveforms. The control pulse is represented either as a Gaussian or free-form pulse, and the results from the optimization are compared. We see an improvement factor of 3(7)\% when using optimized free-form pulses. By limiting the allowed pulse energy in a solution, we show an energy-based optimization giving a 30% reduction in energy, with minimal efficiency loss.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Optical convolutional neural network with atomic nonlinearity

Due to their high degree of parallelism, fast processing speeds and low power consumption, analog optical functional elements offer interesting routes for realizing neuro-morphic computer hardware. For instance, convolutional neural networks lend themselves to analog optical implementations by exploiting the Fourier-transform characteristics of suitable designed optical setups. However, the efficient implementation of optical nonlinearities for such neural networks still represents challenges. In this work, we report on the realization and characterization of a three-layer optical convolutional neural network where the linear part is based on a 4f-imaging system and the optical nonlinearity is realized via the absorption profile of a cesium atomic vapor cell. This system classifies the handwritten digital dataset MNIST with 83.96% accuracy, which agrees well with corresponding simulations. Our results thus demonstrate the viability of utilizing atomic nonlinearities in neural network architectures with low power consumption.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Multiplexed random-access optical memory in warm cesium vapor

The ability to store large amounts of photonic quantum states is regarded as substantial for future optical quantum computation and communication technologies. However, research for multiplexed quantum memories has been focused on systems that show good performance only after an elaborate preparation of the storage media. This makes it generally more difficult to apply outside a laboratory environment. In this work, we demonstrate a multiplexed random-access memory to store up to four optical pulses using electromagnetically induced transparency in warm cesium vapor. Using a {\Lambda}-System on the hyperfine transitions of the Cs D1 line, we achieve a mean internal storage efficiency of 36% and a 1/e lifetime of 3.2 {\mu}s. In combination with future improvements, this work facilitates the implementation of multiplexed memories in future quantum communication and computation infrastructures.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Optimization and readout-noise analysis of a warm vapor EIT memory on the Cs D1 line

Quantum memories promise to enable global quantum repeater networks. For field applications, alkali metal vapors constitute an exceptional storage platform, as neither cryogenics, nor strong magnetic fields are required. We demonstrate a technologically simple, in principle satellite-suited quantum memory based on electromagnetically induced transparency on the cesium D1 line, and focus on the trade-off between end-to-end efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio, both being key parameters in applications. For coherent pulses containing one photon on average, we achieve storage and retrieval with end-to-end efficiencies of $\eta_{e2e} = 13(2)\%$, which correspond to internal memory efficiencies of $\eta_{mem} = 33(1)\%$. Simultaneously, we achieve a noise level corresponding to $\mu_1 = 0.07(2)$ signal photons. This noise is dominated by spontaneous Raman scattering, with contributions from fluorescence. Four wave mixing noise is negligible, allowing for further minimization of the total noise level.

quant-ph↗