Memory for polarization state of light based on atomic frequency comb in a ¹⁵³Eu:Y₂SiO₅ crystal

Abstract In this work we realize an optical memory for polarization state of light that is based on atomic frequency comb protocol in a 153Eu:Y2SiO5 crystal. In order to compensate for the absorption and refraction anisotropy of the crystal we use a setup with multiple passes through the sample with intermediary rotation of polarization. We obtain memory efficiency of ∼25% with a storage time of ∼165 ns and fidelity of over 85%.