All-optical routing by light storage in a Pr 3 + : Y 2 SiO 5 crystal

We experimentally demonstrate an all-optical routing based on light storage in a Pr3+ :Y2SiO5 crystal. Under electromagnetically induced transparency, the optical information of the probe light pulse can be stored in the crystal. By simultaneously switching on two retrieve control fields in the release process, the stored optical information from one light channel can be distributed into two light channels. Such an all-optical routing in solids may have practical applications in quantum information and all-optical network. © 2008 American Institute of Physics. DOI: 10.1063/1.3041645