Optical quantum memory in atomic ensembles: physical principles, experiments, and potential of application in a quantum repeater

S.A. Moiseev^†^a, M.M. Minnegaliev^a, K.I. Gerasimov^a, E.S. Moiseev^a, A.D. Deev^b, c, Yu.Yu. Balega^d
^aKazan Quantum Center, Kazan National Research Technical University, K. Marx Str. 10, Kazan, 420111, Russian Federation
^bMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Institutskii per. 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russian Federation
^cR&D Center JSC, Bolshoy Balkansky Lane 20, Moscow, 129090, Russian Federation
^dRussian Academy of Sciences, China Branch of BRICS Institute of Future Networks, Shenzhen, China

We outline the physical principles of optical quantum memory in atomic ensembles, with the emphasis on protocols that have been successfully implemented experimentally. Among the protocols under consideration, prominence is given to the regularities of quantum memory on photon echo and slow light and to their implementations in crystals doped with rare-earth ions, which have a long quantum coherence lifetime on optical and spin transitions. We analyze the approaches and problems in achieving high efficiency and other practically significant parameters of quantum memory in real experimental conditions. Also discussed are ways to further improve optical quantum memory and the potential of its application in developing an optical quantum repeater.

Keywords: optical quantum memory, two- and three-level atomic ensembles, optical and spin coherence, electromagnet„ically induced transparency, off-resonant Raman transitions, Autler—Townes splitting, photon echo, crystals with rare-earth ions, quantum repeaters
PACS: 03.67.−a, 42.40.Md, 42.50.Ex (all)
DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2024.06.039694
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2025/5/a/
Web of Science

001524725300001
Scopus

2-s2.0-105008976012
ADS NASA

2025PhyU...68..431M
Citation: Moiseev S A, Minnegaliev M M, Gerasimov K I, Moiseev E S, Deev A D, Balega Yu Yu "Optical quantum memory in atomic ensembles: physical principles, experiments, and potential of application in a quantum repeater" Phys. Usp. 68 431–451 (2025)

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Received: 24th, April 2024, accepted: 10th, June 2024

Оригинал: Моисеев С А, Миннегалиев М М, Герасимов К И, Моисеев Е С, Деев А Д, Балега Ю Ю «Оптическая квантовая память на атомных ансамблях: физические принципы, эксперименты и возможности применения в квантовом повторителе» УФН 195 455–477 (2025); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2024.06.039694

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