Optical quantum memory for polarization qubits with V-type three-level atoms

We investigate an optical quantum memory scheme with V-type three-level atoms based on the controlled reversible inhomogeneous broadening technique. We theoretically show the possibility of storing and retrieving a weak light pulse interacting with the two optical transitions of the system. This scheme implements a quantum memory for a polarization qubit - a single photon in an arbitrary polarization state - without the need of two spatially separated two-level media, thus offering the advantage of experimental compactness overcoming the limitations due to mismatching and unequal efficiencies that can arise in spatially separated memories. The effects of a relative phase change between the atomic levels, as well as of phase noise due to, for example, the presence of spurious electric and magnetic fields are analysed. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd.