Coherent storage of 3D light fields in atomic vapor

A method to slow and store arbitrary three-dimensional light fields using Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in room-temperature vapor, was studied. The EIT process in a vapor cell of rubidium atoms immersed in neon buffer-gas was performed. The pump beam was turned off for several microseconds while the probe pulse travels within the vapor cell, during which both the amplitude and phase of the probe's electric field were encoded on the atoms. The probe field was reconstructed and measured using a CCD camera, when the pump was reopened. The effect of the diffusion is more clear as storage duration increases, and after 30 μs, the image is completely blurred. This method is related to an optical technique to reduce the effect of diffraction, phase-shift lithography.