Optical light storage in an ensemble of V-type atoms mediated by vacuum induced coherence

We examine the possibility to write, store and retrieve light pulses into an ensemble of V-type three-level atoms where quantum interference of the spontaneous emission from the two upper states is accounted for. It is shown that the adiabatic change of the splitting of the two upper states can be used as a knob to transfer the electromagnetic excitation into a certain combination of coherences. The quantum properties of the mapping are also analyzed. The feasibility of obtaining such a process in a solid state system, where Fano-interferences mimic the vacuum induced coherence produced in atomic system is considered. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.