Efficient generation and control of robust stationary light signals in a double-Λ system of cold atoms

We study the dynamic processes of reversible light storage in a double-Λ system of cold atoms by modulating two counter-propagating control fields in three successive stages. We find that stationary light pulses (SLPs) can be generated when we switch on both control fields to retrieve the stored light signal from a wave-packet of atomic spin coherence. But the two control fields should have equal Rabi frequencies for a symmetric structure of atomic levels while unequal Rabi frequencies for an asymmetric structure of atomic levels. That is, the generation of SLPs requires a special ratio between Rabi frequencies of the two control fields, which is determined by the spontaneous decay rates of relevant atomic transitions. We also show that phase modulation and profile reversal of the released light signal can be implemented by suitably manipulating the two control fields. The double-Λ system of cold atoms has the advantage of high efficiency and high fidelity, when compared to the Λ system of cold atoms, because SLPs generated therein suffer very slow decay and diffusion.     

Controllable beating signal using stored light pulse

We experimentally study the controllable generation of a beating signal using stored light pulses based on electromagnetically induced transparency(EIT) in a solid medium. The beating signal relies on an asymmetric procedure of light storage and retrieval. After storing the probe pulse into the spin coherence under the EIT condition, two-color control fields with opposite detunings instead of the initial control field are used to scatter the stored spin coherence. The controllable beating signal is generated due to alternative constructive and destructive interferences in the retrieved signal intensities. The beating of the two-color control fields is mapped into the beating of weak probe fields by using atomic spin coherence. This beating signal will be important in precise atomic spectroscopy and fast quantum limited measurements.     

Quantum memory in an orthogonal geometry of silenced echo retrieval

We experimentally realize a quantum-memory protocol based on retrieval of silenced echo (ROSE) in Tm³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ crystal in an orthogonal geometry of the signal and control light fields. The silenced echo signal revival efficiency of ~13% with 36 μs storage time is demonstrated. To achieve that we implemented a high-precision atomic coherence control via amplitude- and phase-modulated laser pulses. We also discuss capabilities of this configuration, ways to increase quantum efficiency and to combine it with a single-mode optical cavity.     

Multiple frequency conversion via atomic spin coherence of storing a light pulse

We experimentally demonstrate multiple frequency conversion via atomic spin coherence of storing a light pulse in a doped solid.The essence of this multiple frequency conversion is four-wave mixing based on stored atomic spin coherence.Through electromagnetically induced transparency,an input probe pulse is stored into atomic spin coherence by modulating the intensity of the control field.By using two different control fields to interact with the coherently prepared medium,the stored atomic spin coherence can be transformed into three different information channels.Multiple frequency conversion is implemented efficiently by manipulating the spectra of the control fields to scatter atomic spin coherence.This multiple frequency conversion is expected to have potential applications in information processing and communication network.     

Light storage via slow-light four-wave mixing

We experimentally demonstrate a light storage via slow-light four-wave mixing in a solid-state medium with a four-level double lambda scheme. Using slow light based on electromagnetically induced transparency, we obtain a slowed four-wave mixing signal pulse together with the slowed probe pulse. During the propagation of light pulses, the storage and retrieval of both the slowed four-wave mixing pulse and the slowed probe pulse are studied by manipulating the intensities of the control fields.     

Where is the energy of slow light stored?

We analyze the energy storage process of light propagating with slow group velocity in a sample where electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is created by a strong coupling field. We compare the formation of slow light in EIT and in self-induced transparency (SIT). For SIT, soliton-like propagation of light with essentially reduced group velocity takes place because of the temporary storage of an appreciable part of the pulse energy in the atoms. For EIT, no energy of the probe is stored in the atoms. This energy is transformed to the coupling field and leaves the sample with phase velocity c without absorption. Slow light is formed by a low frequency coherence induced at the input by the probe and coupling fields in a two-quantum excitation process. This coherence propagates as a “spin wave” with small group velocity, and at a large distance from the input, the coherence rules the process of the energy transformation from the coupling field to the probe, reproducing exactly the temporal profile of the probe at the input.     

固体材料中原子相干效应的研究进展

原子相干效应是光与物质相互作用的结果,它导致了一系列重要的物理现象。目前原子相干的实验研究工作主要在原子气体中开展,而与之相比固体材料中的相关实验研究具有更实际的应用前景。本文系统介绍了近年来固体材料中原子相干效应的研究进展,主要涉及电磁感应光透明、光速减慢与相干存储、存储光信息的可控制擦除、基于光存储的全光路由、双光脉冲的速度减慢和可逆存储和基于原子相干的增强四波混频等基本内容,最后还讨论了其在相关领域的应用。     

Coherent control of stationary light pulses

We present a detailed analysis of the recently demonstrated technique to generate quasi-stationary pulses of light [M. Bajcsy, A.S. Zibrov, M.D. Lukin, Nature (London) 426 (2003) 638] based on electromagnetically induced transparency. We show that the use of counter-propagating control fields to retrieve a light pulse, previously stored in a collective atomic Raman excitation, leads to quasi-stationary light field that undergoes a slow diffusive spread. The underlying physics of this process is identified as pulse matching of probe and control fields. We then show that spatially modulated control-field amplitudes allow us to coherently manipulate and compress the spatial shape of the stationary light pulse. These techniques can provide valuable tools for quantum nonlinear optics and quantum information processing.     

Dynamic control of photonic bandgap mediated by vacuum-induced coherence

We theoretically examine the storage and retrieval of a light pulse in a medium comprised of four-level atoms of the V − Λ-type. The two intermediate levels are probed by a weak field and vacuum-induced coherence effects lead the system to transparency. The temporal variation of the intermediate levels' splitting is used as an external parameter which allows the transfer of the impinging field to a combination of spin coherences. An auxiliary and far-detuned control field in a standing-wave configuration is used to induce a variable photonic bandgap by cross-phase modulation. It is shown that dynamic control of such a bandgap can be used to coherently manipulate the previously stored probe pulse. We use a general scheme to take into account multiwave mixing effects and solve the combined Maxwell-Bloch equations for the relevant coherences. It is shown that the system acts as an all-optical router.     

Low-light-level cross-phase modulation with double slow light pulses

We report on the first experimental demonstration of low-light-level cross-phase modulation (XPM) with double slow light pulses based on the double electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in cold cesium atoms. The double EIT is implemented with two control fields and two weak fields that drive populations prepared in the two doubly spin-polarized states. Group velocity matching can be obtained by tuning the intensity of either of the control fields. The XPM is based on the asymmetric M-type five-level system formed by the two sets of EIT. Enhancement in the XPM by group velocity matching is observed. Our work advances studies of low-light-level nonlinear optics based on double slow light pulses.     

<Superscript>53</Superscript>Cr NMR study of CuCrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> multiferroic

The magnetically ordered phase of the CuCrO₂ single crystal has been studied by the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method on ⁵³Cr nuclei in the absence of an external magnetic field. The ⁵³Cr NMR spectrum is observed in the frequency range ν_res = 61–66 MHz. The shape of the spectrum depends on the delay tdel between pulses in the pulse sequence τ_π/2–t _del–τ_π–t _del–echo. The spin–spin and spin–lattice relaxation times have been measured. Components of the electric field gradient, hyperfine fields, and the magnetic moment on chromium atoms have been estimated.     

Electromagnetically induced transparency‐based slow and stored light in warm atoms

This paper reviews recent efforts to realize a high‐efficiency memory for optical pulses using slow and stored light based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in ensembles of warm atoms in vapor cells. After a brief summary of basic continuous‐wave and dynamic EIT properties, studies using weak classical signal pulses in optically dense coherent media are discussed, including optimization strategies for stored light efficiency and pulse‐shape control, and modification of EIT and slow/stored light spectral properties due to atomic motion. Quantum memory demonstrations using both single photons and pulses of squeezed light are then reviewed. Finally a brief comparison with other approaches is presented.     

Performance of frequency-modulated pulses in NQR

This paper presents an analysis of the performance of frequency-modulated pulses and of pulses modulated simultaneously in amplitude and frequency in the pure nuclear quadrupolar resonance (NQR) spectroscopy of spin 3/2 nuclei. Computer simulations are given of the offset compensation efficiency of such pulses as applied to single crystals. Spin evolution equations were solved numerically. Experimental measurements, using FM pulses, of the³⁵Cl NQR of sodium chlorate (NaClO₃) single crystal and of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) powder are reported. The results suggest that frequency modulated pulses are alternative pulses to composite pulses in NQR.     

Mechanical detection of nuclear spin relaxation in a micron-size crystal

A room temperature nuclear magnetic resonance force microscope (MRFM), fitted in a 1 tesla electromagnet, has been used to measure the nuclear spin relaxation of ¹H in a micron-size (70 ng) crystal of ammonium sulfate. NMR sequences, combining both pulsed and continuous wave radio-frequency fields, have allowed us to measure mechanically T₂ and T₁, the transverse and longitudinal spin relaxation times. Because two spin species with different T₁ values are measured in our 7 μm thick crystal, magnetic resonance imaging of their spatial distribution inside the sample section have been performed. To understand quantitatively the measured signal, we carefully study the influence of spin-lattice relaxation and non-adiabaticity of the continuous-wave sequence on the intensity and time dependence of the detected signal. Received 23 February 2000     

Nonstationary Raman amplification of superluminescence in crystals

The sequential excitation of LiF crystals with F ₂ ^? color centers and KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals by 1047-nm laser pulses with a duration of 22 ps is investigated. Broadband (275 cm^?1) Stokes superluminescence appearing in the fluoride crystal undergoes nonstationary Raman amplification in the oxide crystal. The amplified pulses with a Stokes frequency shift of 767 cm^?1, a duration of 7 ps, and a power up to ～1.1 MW have high spatial and time coherence and exhibit time delay increasing from ～1 to 4.5 ns with a decreasing pump power. The results are discussed in terms of the cooperative Raman scattering.     

Interwell exciton relaxation in semimagnetic asymmetric double quantum wells

The possibility of magnetic field control of the spectral and polarization characteristics of exciton recombination is examined in Cd(Mg, Mn) Te-based asymmetric double quantum wells. At low fields, the exciton transition in a semimagnetic well is higher in energy than that in a nonmagnetic well and the interwell exciton relaxation is fast. In contrast, when the energy order of the exciton transitions reverses at high fields, unexpectedly slow relaxation of σ⁻ polarized excitons from the nonmagnetic well to the σ⁺-polarized ground state in the semimagnetic well is observed. Strong dependence of the total circular polarization degree on the heavy-light hole splitting Δ _hh-lh in the nonmagnetic well is found and attributed to the spin dependent interwell tunneling controlled by exciton spin relaxation. Such a slowing down of the relaxation allows separation of oppositely spin-polarized excitons in adjacent wells. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Magnetic interactions in Pr3+ : LiYF4 for quantum manipulation : search for an efficient three-level Λ system

The influence of an external magnetic field on the hyperfine structure of the ³ H₄(0) and ¹D₂(0) crystal field states of Pr³⁺ in LiYF₄ is studied in order to find an efficient three-level Λ system. Using an experimentally determined spin Hamiltonian, we show that three-level Λ systems can be obtained with equal strengths for the optically excited transitions under various magnetic field magnitudes and orientations. An analytical analysis based on two levels is proposed to find useful magnetic fields without extensive numerical calculations and to understand the general behaviour of the system. Pr³⁺ hyperfine structure has also been directly calculated using a complete Hamiltonian including free ion, crystal field and magnetic interactions. A good agreement with the spin Hamiltonian approach is found for the ground state whereas the excited state results poorly reproduce the experiment. This is attributed to the low accuracy of ¹D₂ crystal field wavefunctions. This suggests that transition strengths ratios could be calculated directly from the crystal field Hamiltonian with improved crystal field parameters.     

氟离子掺杂钨酸铅闪烁晶体的发光特性

钨酸铅(PWO)晶体是一种综合性能非常优异的无机闪烁晶体,并且在高能物理研究领域已获得重要应用,但光输出偏低的缺点严重制约了它在非高能物理领域的应用.本文采用氟化铅作为掺杂剂,用Bridgman方法生长出了光输出比普通PWO晶体高出2—3倍的新型PWO晶体.紫外和X射线荧光光谱的测试结果表明,这种新型晶体的发光波长比纯PWO晶体红移了大约134 nm,即为553 nm,衰减时间也从几十纳秒延长到100 ns以上,且光输出随积分时间的增加而增强.此外,发射波长和光输出沿晶体生长方向存在明显的位置依赖性,初期