Abstract-Toward Quantum Processing in Molecules: A THz-Bandwidth Coherent Memory for Light

Philip J. Bustard, Rune Lausten, Duncan G. England, and Benjamin J. Sussman^* 
National Research Council of Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada

http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v111/i8/e083901

The unusual features of quantum mechanics are enabling the development of technologies not possible with classical physics. These devices utilize nonclassical phenomena in the states of atoms, ions, and solid-state media as the basis for many prototypes. Here we investigate molecular states as a distinct alternative. We demonstrate a memory for light based on storing photons in the vibrations of hydrogen molecules. The THz-bandwidth molecular memory is used to store 100-fs pulses for durations up to ∼1  ns, enabling ∼10⁴ operational time bins. The results demonstrate the promise of molecules for constructing compact ultrafast quantum photonic technologies.

Synopsis: Molecular Memory for Light

Toward Quantum Processing in Molecules: A THz-Bandwidth Coherent Memory for Light

http://physics.aps.org/synopsis-for/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.083901

Philip J. Bustard, Rune Lausten, Duncan G. England, and Benjamin J. Sussman

Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 083901 (2013)

Published August 19, 2013

Quantum processors, like their classical counterparts, will need fast and reliable memories to store and retrieve information as superpositions of states. Researchers are pursuing several photonic technologies, among others, to achieve this by storing quantum information in specially prepared solids, ions, and atomic vapors. Philip Bustard and colleagues at the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, Ontario, have now investigated another kind of storage medium: the vibrational modes of molecules. Their experiments, published in Physical Review Letters, demonstrate that the system can act as a fast and efficient molecular quantum memory.