Complete reconstruction of the quantum state of a single-photon wave packet absorbed by a doppler-broadened transition

Abstract

An idea for how to reconstruct the quantum state of a nonstationary single-photon wave packet absorbed in a macroscopic medium with inhomogeneously broadened lines is presented. An analytical treatment of the problem is performed and the requirements on the proposed scheme for complete recovery of the recorded nonstationary quantum state with a probability close to unity is described. The physical nature of the present scheme is also discussed. © 2001 The American Physical Society.