All-Optical Switching in Rubidium Vapor

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1110151
• Publication Date: 2005-04-28T20:54:19Z
• Authors: Andrew M. C. Dawes; Lucas Illing; Susan M. Clark; Daniel J. Gauthier
• Keywords: Rubidium; Optical burst switching; Trap (plumbing); Light beam

We report on an all-optical switch that operates at low light levels. It consists of laser beams counterpropagating through a warm rubidium vapor induce off-axis optical pattern. A switching beam causes this pattern to rotate even when the power in is much lower than The observed energy density very low, suggesting might operate single-photon level with system optimization. This approach opens possibility realizing for quantum information networks and improving transparent telecommunication networks.