arXiv subjects

Ying-Cheng Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Ying-Cheng Chen.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Quantum storage and manipulation of heralded single photons in atomic quantum memories

We demonstrate the storage and manipulation of narrowband heralded single photons from a cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC) source in the atomic quantum memory based on electromagnetically induced transparency. We show that nonclassical correlations are preserved between the heralding and the retrieved photons after storage process. By varying the intensity of the coupling field during retrieval process, we further demonstrate that the waveform or bandwidth of the single photons can be manipulated and the nonclassical correlation between the photon pairs can be even enhanced. Unlike previous works, our SPDC source is single mode in frequency, which not only reduces the experimental complexity arising from external filtering but also increases the useful photon generation rate. Our results can be scaled up with ease and thus lay the foundation for future realization of large-scale applications in quantum information processing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Raman Gray Molasses Cooling of Cesium Atoms on the D2 Line

We present a systematic study on the Raman gray molasses cooling (RGMC) of cesium atoms on the $D_2$ transition. Due to the large splitting in the excited hyperfine transitions of cesium $D_2$ line, it is relatively simple to implement the RGMC with suitable frequency control on the trapping and repumping lasers of the magneto-optical trap (MOT). We have achieved an atom temperature of 1.7$\pm$0.2 $μ$K after the RGMC with $3.2\times 10^8$ atoms. The phase space density is $1.43\times 10^{-4}$. Compared to the condition with a bare MOT or the MOT with a standard polarization gradient cooling, the phase space density increases by a factor of more than $10^3$ or $10$, respectively.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2018

Highly efficient coherent optical memory based on electromagnetically induced transparency

Quantum memory is an important component in the long-distance quantum communication system based on the quantum repeater protocol. To outperform the direct transmission of photons with quantum repeaters, it is crucial to develop quantum memories with high fidelity, high efficiency and a long storage time. Here, we achieve a storage efficiency of 92.0(1.5)\% for a coherent optical memory based on the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) scheme in optically dense cold atomic media. We also obtain a useful time-bandwidth product of 1200, considering only storage where the retrieval efficiency remains above 50\%. Both are the best record to date in all kinds of the schemes for the realization of optical memory. Our work significantly advances the pursuit of a high-performance optical memory and should have important applications in quantum information science.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Large Cross-Phase Modulations at the Few-Photon Level

We demonstrate an efficient cross-phase modulation (XPM) based on a closed-loop double-Λ system. The property of the double-Λ medium can be controlled by changing the phases of the applied optical fields. This phase-dependent XPM scheme can achieve large phase modulations at low-light intensities without requiring cavities or tightly focusing of laser beams. With this scheme, we observe a π-level phase shift with two pulses both consisting of 8 photons in cold rubidium atoms. Such novel scheme provides a simple route to generate strong interactions between photons and may have potential applications in all-optical quantum signal processing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Phase-dependent double-Λ electromagnetically induced transparency

We theoretically investigate a double-Λ electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) system. The property of the double-Λ medium with a closed-loop configuration depends on the relative phase of the applied laser fields. This phase-dependent mechanism differentiates the double-Λ medium from the conventional Kerr-based nonlinear medium, e.g., EIT-based nonlinear medium discussed by Harris and Hau [Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 4611 (1999)], which depends only on the intensities of the applied laser fields. Steady-state analytical solutions for the phase-dependent system are obtained by solving the Maxwell-Bloch equations. In addition, we discuss efficient all-optical phase modulation and coherent light amplification based on the proposed double-Λ EIT scheme.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Low-light-level four-wave mixing by quantum interference

We observed electromagnetically-induced-transparency-based four-wave mixing (FWM) in the pulsed regime at low light levels. The FWM conversion efficiency of 3.8(9)% was observed in a four-level system of cold 87Rb atoms using a driving laser pulse with a peak intensity of approximately 80 μW/cm^2, corresponding to an energy of approximately 60 photons per atomic cross section. Comparison between the experimental data and the theoretical predictions proposed by Harris and Hau [Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 4611 (1999)] showed good agreement. Additionally, a high conversion efficiency of 46(2)% was demonstrated when applying this scheme using a driving laser intensity of approximately 1.8 mW/cm^2. According to our theoretical predictions, this FWM scheme can achieve a conversion efficiency of nearly 100% when using a dense medium with an optical depth of 500.

quant-ph↗

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↗

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↗