Continuous coherent transient optical processing in a solid

We report what is to our knowledge the f irst experimental demonstration of a continuous coherent transient optical processor. A 13-bit pattern was stored as a spectral population grating in the Eu31-ion ground state in a Eu31 crystal. A 3120-bit data stream was processed continuously, yielding a cross-correlation signal that agreed well with theory. The data streams duration exceeded both the absorbing transitions homogenous transverse dephasing time and upper-state lifetime. This experiment showed that by permanently storing the pattern as a population grating in the absorbers ground state, coherent transient optical devices provide continuous, real-time data processing capability. © 1995, Optical Society of America.