From photons to phonons and back: A THz optical memory in diamond

D. G. England, P. J. Bustard, J. Nunn, R. Lausten, B. J. Sussman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Optical quantum memories are vital for the scalability of future quantum technologies, enabling long-distance secure communication and local synchronization of quantum components. We demonstrate a THz-bandwidth memory for light using the optical phonon modes of a room temperature diamond. This large bandwidth makes the memory compatible with down-conversion-type photon sources. We demonstrate that four-wave mixing noise in this system is suppressed by material dispersion. The resulting noise floor is just 7×10-3 photons per pulse, which establishes that the memory is capable of storing single quanta. We investigate the principle sources of noise in this system and demonstrate that high material dispersion can be used to suppress four-wave mixing noise in Λ-type systems. Published by the American Physical Society.

Original languageEnglish
Article number243601
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume111
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Dec 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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