Light storage protocols in Tm:YAG

Abstract

We present two quantum memory protocols for solids: A stopped light approach based on spectral hole burning and the storage in an atomic frequency comb. These procedures are well adapted to the rare-earth ion doped crystals. We carefully clarify the critical steps of both. On one side, we show that the slowing-down due to hole-burning is sufficient to produce a complete mapping of field into the atomic system. On the other side, we explain the storage and retrieval mechanism of the Atomic Frequency Comb protocol. This two important stages are implemented experimentally in Tm$^{3+}$- doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet crystal.