Optical vector network analysis of ultra-narrow transitions in ${}^{166}$Er${}^{3+}$:${}^7$LiYF${}_4$

Abstract

We present optical vector network analysis (OVNA) of an isotopically purified ${}^{166}$Er${}^{3+}$:${}^7$LiYF${}_4$ crystal. The OVNA method is based on generation and detection of modulated optical sideband by using a radio-frequency vector network analyzer. This technique is widely used in the field of microwave photonics for the characterization of optical responses of optical devices such as filters and high-Q resonators. However, dense solid-state atomic ensembles induce a large phase shift on one of the optical sidebands which results in the appearance of extra features on the measured transmission response. We present a simple theoretical model which accurately describes the observed spectra and helps to reconstruct the absorption profile of a solid-state atomic ensemble as well as corresponding change of the refractive index in the vicinity of atomic resonances.

4 pages, 5 figures

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• Coherence time of over a second in a telecom-compatible quantum memory storage material
• Low-distortion slow light using two absorption resonances
• Transformation of the frequency-modulated continuous-wave field into a train of short pulses by resonant filters

Cited by in corpus (1)

• Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in a mono-isotopic ${}^{167}$Er:${}^7$LiYF${}_4$ crystal below 1 Kelvin