Cross correlation between entangled photon pairs from four-wave mixing in a Warm Ensemble of Rubidium

ORAL

Abstract

We investigate correlated photon-pair generation by spontaneous four-wave mixing from a continuously pumped warm ensemble of rubidium atoms. The correlated pairs occur at 780 nm and 1367 nm. We find that the temporal character of the cross correlation of the emitted photons can be modified by varying the pump laser detunings and powers. The cross-correlation function exhibits quantum beats that reflect the hyperfine structure of the intermediate level. Selective excitation of one of those levels can erase the oscillation. We find that the envelope of the cross- correlation function depends on the spectral features of the thick sample and the modification of the absorption from optical pumping processes.

*Work supported by NSF

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Authors

  • Richard T. Willis

    • Joint Quantum Institute, Department of Physics and NIST, College Park MD 20742, USA
    • Joint Quantum Institute, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, and National Institute of Standards and Technology, College Park, MD, U. S. A.

  • Francisco E. Becerra

    • Joint Quantum Institute, Department of Physics and NIST, College Park MD 20742, USA
    • Joint Quantum Institute, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, and National Institute of Standards and Technology, College Park, MD, U. S. A.

  • Daniel Hemmer

    • Joint Quantum Institute, Department of Physics and NIST, College Park MD 20742, USA

  • Steven Rolston

    • Joint Quantum Institute, Department of Physics and NIST, College Park MD 20742, USA

  • Luis Orozco

    • Joint Quantum Institute, Department of Physics and NIST, College Park MD 20742, USA