Abstract

We propose an all-optical switch that utilizes the technique of storage and retrieval of light pulses. A single photon (probe pulse) switched by another (switching pulse) is feasible, and the on–off ratio can be as large as $10\mathrm{dB}$. We have experimentally demonstrated that the energy of the retrieved probe pulse is reduced to about 10% because of the presence of a switching pulse with an energy per unit area of one photon per ${\lambda }^2∕\left(2\pi \right)$. The achieved result does not depend on the coupling intensity, the atomic optical density, or the width and shape of the switching pulse.

© 2006 Optical Society of America

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