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Main Authors: Papneja, Ankit, Everett, Jesse, Trainor, Cameron, Tranter, Aaron D., Buchler, Ben C.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.09316
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author Papneja, Ankit
Everett, Jesse
Trainor, Cameron
Tranter, Aaron D.
Buchler, Ben C.
author_facet Papneja, Ankit
Everett, Jesse
Trainor, Cameron
Tranter, Aaron D.
Buchler, Ben C.
contents A quantum memory for light is expected to play a crucial role in quantum communication protocols and distributed quantum computing. In addition to storage and buffering, a quantum memory can be used for manipulations of stored states to allow more complex quantum network operations. In this work, we demonstrate an in-memory Fourier transform using a combination of two well-established quantum memory protocols: Gradient Echo Memory and Electromagnetically Induced Transparency. Our experiment is realised using an ensemble of rubidium atoms that are laser cooled in an elongated magneto-optic trap to maximise optical depth. The results of our time-frequency Fourier transform can be understood as a temporal double slit. We show that the interference between time-separated pulses depends on the relative phase and time between the pulses of light. The use of a quantum memory enables us to illuminate exactly where and how interference occurs between time separated pulses. Time-frequency Fourier manipulation is a well established technique in classical optical systems. Our combination of Fourier manipulation and quantum-compatible memory could be used to bring similar capability to quantum optical systems.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_09316
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Demonstration of a photonic time-frequency Fourier transform and temporal double slit using atomic quantum memory
Papneja, Ankit
Everett, Jesse
Trainor, Cameron
Tranter, Aaron D.
Buchler, Ben C.
Quantum Physics
Atomic Physics
A quantum memory for light is expected to play a crucial role in quantum communication protocols and distributed quantum computing. In addition to storage and buffering, a quantum memory can be used for manipulations of stored states to allow more complex quantum network operations. In this work, we demonstrate an in-memory Fourier transform using a combination of two well-established quantum memory protocols: Gradient Echo Memory and Electromagnetically Induced Transparency. Our experiment is realised using an ensemble of rubidium atoms that are laser cooled in an elongated magneto-optic trap to maximise optical depth. The results of our time-frequency Fourier transform can be understood as a temporal double slit. We show that the interference between time-separated pulses depends on the relative phase and time between the pulses of light. The use of a quantum memory enables us to illuminate exactly where and how interference occurs between time separated pulses. Time-frequency Fourier manipulation is a well established technique in classical optical systems. Our combination of Fourier manipulation and quantum-compatible memory could be used to bring similar capability to quantum optical systems.
title Demonstration of a photonic time-frequency Fourier transform and temporal double slit using atomic quantum memory
topic Quantum Physics
Atomic Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.09316