Investigation of Quantum Memory Efficiency by Optimizing Light-Matter Interaction

Efficient optical quantum memory is critical for various emerging quantum experiments ranging from linear-optical quantum computing to entanglement distribution and quantum networking. The efficiency of quantum memories based on atomic ensembles can be improved by temporal shaping of the optical signal field to be stored and the control field used to mediate the interaction when the signal bandwidths are smaller than the linewidths of the excited states participating in the memory transitions. However, adjusting the shape of intense broadband fields and various factors imposed by host materials make it challenging to find the optimal broadband operation in the quantum memory interaction. This work studies the performance of ?-type quantum memories at resonant and near-resonant frequencies for various parameters of control fields (optical power, arrival time, and duration) and host material properties (nuclear moment and isotopic purity).