Abstract

To build quantum memories for light with atomic ensembles one needs to map single photons into atomic excitations and freeze them until releasing them back as photons on demand. Here we present an idea for realizing this storage-recall procedure by directly controlling the transition dipole moment in a two-level atomic ensemble. An analytical treatment of the problem is performed, and the physical requirements on the proposed scheme are discussed. We propose an implementation employing a magneto-dependent transition dipole moment in a Tm³⁺:YAG crystal.

© 2011 Optical Society of America