Patent ID: 8135277
Filing Date: 2012-03-13
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. A method of delayed optical switch using a nonlinear optical medium composing two closely spaced ground states such that a transition between the two said ground states is dipole forbidden, and an excited state such that two-photon transitions between said two ground states via said excited state are allowed, said method comprising following steps: a) applying to said nonlinear optical medium a first laser beam (P) as an input signal beam through an optical fiber, optical waveguide, surface plasmon, or free space at a first frequency corresponding to a first transition between a first ground state of said ground states and said excited state; b) applying a second laser beam (C c) applying a third laser beam (C d) adjusting an intensity of said second laser beam (C e) adjusting an intensity of said third laser beam (C f) connecting said nondegenerate four-wave mixing signal (D) or said slow light (S) to free space or to optical fibers, in which said nondegenerate four-wave mixing signal (D) and said slow light (S) are physically separated in propagation directions.