Efficient spectral hole-burning and atomic frequency comb storage in Nd3+:YLiF4

Abstract

We present spectral hole-burning measurements of the $^{4}I_{9/2}\rightarrow{}^4F_{3/2}$ transition in Nd$^{3+}$:YLiF$_4$. The isotope shifts of Nd$^{3+}$ can be directly resolved in the optical absorption spectrum. We report atomic frequency comb storage with an echo efficiency of up to 35% and a memory bandwidth of 60 MHz in this material. The interesting properties show the potential of this material for use in both quantum and classical information processing.