Light storage, retrieval, and controllable interference in an atomic tripod system

Zhong, Shan; Sudler, Aidan J.; Blume, Doerte; Marino, Alberto M.

doi:10.1103/2175-ztdj

Light storage, retrieval, and controllable interference in an atomic tripod system

Journal Article · Fri Jan 02 00:00:00 EST 2026 · Physical Review A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/2175-ztdj· OSTI ID:3013468

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Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States)
Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Highly efficient quantum memories are essential for advancing quantum information processing technologies, including scalable quantum computing and quantum networks. We experimentally demonstrate a light storage and retrieval protocol in a tripod system using an ensemble of laser-cooled ⁸⁷Rb atoms. The tripod system, which consists of three ground states and an excited state, offers rich dynamics: its use to coherently store and retrieve a weak probe pulse in the ⁸⁷Rb 𝐹 = 1 ground-state manifold leads to the interference of two spin-wave excitations during storage time that translate to an interference in the peak intensity of the retrieved probe pulse. Our work shows that these interferences, which manifest when varying the pulse sequence or energy level structure, can be controlled experimentally by varying the storage time, optical phase, and magnetic field strength. Theoretical simulations exhibit excellent agreement with the experimental results. In conclusion, this work demonstrates the rich dynamics and versatile capabilities of atomic tripod systems for light storage and retrieval, with key advantages over conventional Λ systems, highlighting the potential of atomic tripod systems for applications in quantum information processing, quantum synchronization, and atomic memory protocols.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 3013468

Journal Information:: Physical Review A, Journal Name: Physical Review A Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 113; ISSN 2469-9934; ISSN 2469-9926

Publisher:: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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