Spectroscopic investigations of 142Nd3+:YVO4 for quantum memory applications

A YVO4 single crystal doped with 142Nd3+ ions is grown using the Czochralski method. We present systematic spectroscopy measurements of the 4I9/2→4F3/2 transition of 142Nd3+ ions at a temperature of 1.5 K. An absorption coefficient of 3.0mm−1 is obtained, along with an inhomogeneous broadening below 0.5 GHz. Under a magnetic field of 0.3 T, the optical coherence time and population lifetime are measured as 64 µs and 120 µs, respectively. The ground-state spin relaxation time approaching 11.3 s is determined by spectral hole burning. These results demonstrate the potential for broadband quantum storage using the electron spin levels of this material.