On-demand storage and retrieval of quantum information in coherent light-matter interfaces is a key requirement for future quantum networking and quantum communication applications. Alkali vapor memories offer scalable and robust high-bandwidth storage at high repetition rates which makes them a natural fit to interface with solid-state single-photon sources. Here, we experimentally realize a room-temperature ladder-type atomic vapor memory that operates on the Cs D1 line. We provide a detailed experimental characterization and demonstration of on-demand storage and retrieval of weak coherent laser pulses with 0.06 photons per pulse at a high signal-to-noise ratio of SNR=830(80). The memory achieves a maximum internal storage efficiency of ηint=15(1)% and an estimated 1/e-storage time of τs≈32ns. Benchmark properties for the storage of single photons from inhomogeneously broadened state-of-the-art solid-state emitters are estimated from the performance of the memory. Together with the immediate availability of high-quality InGaAs quantum dots emitting at 895\,nm, these results provide clear prospects for the development of a heterogeneous on-demand quantum light interface.
@article{arxiv.2402.14686,
title = {Room-temperature ladder-type optical memory compatible with single photons from InGaAs quantum dots},
author = {Benjamin Maaß and Norman Vincenz Ewald and Avijit Barua and Stephan Reitzenstein and Janik Wolters},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2402.14686},
year = {2024}
}