arXiv subjects

Ite A. Yu

Publications and source records attributed to Ite A. Yu.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Coherent Optical Memory with High Storage Efficiency and Large Fractional Delay

A high-storage efficiency and long-lived quantum memory for photons is an essential component in long-distance quantum communication and optical quantum computation. Here, we report a 78% storage efficiency of light pulses in a cold atomic medium based on the effect of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). At 50% storage efficiency, we obtain a fractional delay of 74, which is the best up-to-date record. The classical fidelity of the recalled pulse is better than 90% and nearly independent of the storage time, as confirmed by the direct measurement of phase evolution of the output light pulse with a beat-note interferometer. Such excellent phase coherence between the stored and recalled light pulses suggests that the current result can be readily applied to single photon wave packets. Our work significantly advances the technology of EIT-based optical memory and may find practical applications in long-distance quantum communication and optical quantum computation.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Few-Photon All-Optical π Phase modulation Based on a Double-Λ System

We propose an efficient all-optical phase modulation based on a double-Λ system and demonstrate a π phase shift of a few-photon pulse induced by another few-photon pulse in cold rubidium atoms with this scheme. By changing the phases of the applied laser fields, one can control the property of the double-Λ medium. This phase-dependent mechanism makes the double-Λ system different form the conventional cross-Kerr-based system which only depends on the applied laser intensities. The proposed scheme provides a new route to generate strong nonlinear interactions between photons, and may have potential for applications in quantum information technologies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Electromagnetic induced transparency and slow light in interacting quantum degenerate atomic gases

We systematically develop the full quantum theory for the electromagnetic induced transparency (EIT) and slow light properties in ultracold Bose and Fermi gases. It shows a very different property from the classical theory which assumes frozen atomic motion. For example, the speed of light inside the atomic gases can be changed dramatically near the Bose-Einstein condensation temperature, while the presence of the Fermi sea can destroy the EIT effect even at zero temperature. From experimental point of view, such quantum EIT property is mostly manifested in the counter-propagating excitation schemes in either the low-lying Rydberg transition with a narrow line width or in the D2 transitions with a very weak coupling field. We further investigate the interaction effects on the EIT for a weakly interacting Bose-Einstein condensate, showing an inhomogeneous broadening of the EIT profile and nontrivial change of the light speed due to the quantum many-body effects beyond mean field energy shifts.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2011

Demonstration of the Interaction between Two Stopped Light Pulses

We report the first experimental demonstration that two light pulses were made motionless and interacted with each other via a medium. The interaction time is, in principle, as long as possible and a considerable efficiency can be achieved even below single-photon level. We utilized the optical process of one photon pulse switched by another based on the effect of electromagnetically induced transparency to demonstrate the enhancement of optical nonlinear efficiency. With moving light pulses, the switching is activated at energy per area of 2 photons per atomic absorption cross section in the best situation as discussed in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 4611 (1999)]. With motionless light pulses, we demonstrated that the switching is activated at 0.56 photons per atomic absorption cross section and that the light level can be further reduced by increasing the optical density of the medium. Our work enters a new regime of low light physics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2011

An effective thermal-parametrization theory for the slow-light dynamics in a Doppler-broadened electomagnetically induced transparency medium

We model the effects of atomic thermal motion on the propagation of a light pulse in an electromagnetically induced transparency medium by introducing a set of effectively temperature-dependent parameters, including the Rabi frequency of the coupling field, optical density and relaxation rate of the ground state coherence, into the governing equations. The validity of this effective theory is verified by the close agreement between the theoretical results and the experimental data.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2011

Dynamics of slow light and light storage in a Doppler-broadened electromagnetically-induced-transparency medium: A numerical approach

We present a numerical scheme to study the dynamics of slow light and light storage in an electromagneticallyinduced- transparency (EIT) medium at finite temperatures. Allowing for the motional coupling, we derive a set of coupled Schrödinger equations describing a boosted closed three-level EIT system according to the principle of Galilean relativity. The dynamics of a uniformly moving EIT medium can thus be determined by numerically integrating the coupled Schrödinger equations for atoms plus one ancillary Maxwell-Schrödinger equation for the probe pulse. The central idea of this work rests on the assumption that the loss of ground-state coherence at finite temperatures can be ascribed to the incoherent superposition of density matrices representing the EIT systems with various velocities. Close agreements are demonstrated in comparing the numerical results with the experimental data for both slow light and light storage. In particular, the distinct characters featuring the decay of ground-state coherence can be well verified for slow light and light storage. This warrants that the current scheme can be applied to determine the decaying profile of the ground-state coherence as well as the temperature of the EIT medium.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2010

Hiding Single Photons With Spread Spectrum Technology

We describe a proof-of-principal experiment demonstrating the use of spread spectrum technology at the single photon level. We show how single photons with a prescribed temporal shape, in the presence of interfering noise, may be hidden and recovered.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2008

Stationary Light Pulses without Bragg Gratings

The underlying mechanism of the stationary light pulse (SLP) was identified as a band gap being created by a Bragg grating formed by two counter-propagating coupling fields of similar wavelength. Here we present a more general view of the formation of SLPs, namely several balanced four-wave mixing processes sharing the same ground-state coherence. Utilizing this new concept we report the first experimental observation of a bichromatic SLP at wavelengths for which no Bragg grating can be established. We also demonstrate the production of a SLP directly from a propagating light pulse without prior storage. Being easily controlled externally makes SLPs a very versatile tool for low-light-level nonlinear optics and quantum information manipulation.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2005

Observation of Single-Photon Switching

We report an experimental demonstration of single-photon switching in laser-cooled $^{87}$Rb atoms. A resonant probe pulse with an energy per unit area of one photon per $λ^2/2π$ propagates through the optically thick atoms. Its energy transmittance is greater than 63% or loss is less than $e^{-1}$ due to the effect of electromagnetically induced transparency. In the presence of a switching pulse with an energy per unit area of 1.4 photons per $λ^2/2π$, the energy transmittance of the same probe pulse becomes less than 37% or $e^{-1}$. This substantial reduction of the probe transmittance caused by single switching photons has potential applications in single-photon-level nonlinear optics and the manipulation of quantum information.

physics.atom-ph↗