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Single-photon-level atomic frequency comb storage in room temperature alkali vapor

Zakary Schofield1, Vanderli Laurindo, Jr.1,2, Ori Ezrah Mor1,2, and Patrick M. Ledingham1,2,*

  • *Contact author: p.ledingham@soton.ac.uk
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 013183 – Published 19 February, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/y4kq-ckhq

Abstract

We have demonstrated the coherent storage and retrieval of single-photon-level light using the atomic frequency comb protocol in a room temperature rubidium vapor. Velocity-selective optical pumping is used to prepare the comb within the F=2 hyperfine ground state of rubidium, with the spacing between peaks coinciding with half the F=2−F=3 hyperfine splitting of the 5P3/22 excited state. Weak coherent states of average photon number μin=0.083(5) are stored with preprogrammed recall time of 7.5ns with an efficiency of ηAFC=6.59(5)%, while two temporally distinct modes have been stored and recalled with ηAFC=2.6(1)%, allowing for time-bin qubit storage. Finally, the storage efficiency is observed to be independent of the input pulse polarization, satisfying a necessary condition for polarization qubit storage.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 013183– Published 19 February, 2026
  • Received 29 October 2025
  • Accepted 29 January 2026
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