A nondegenerate phase-conjugate wave was generated via stored atomic coherence in a ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}:{\mathrm{Y}}_2{\mathrm{SiO}}_5$ crystal based on the electromagnetically induced transparency effect, and its capability for wave-front reconstruction of phase distortion was demonstrated experimentally. The phase-matching condition during the storage-retrieval process of the phase-conjugate wave was characterized both experimentally and theoretically in detail. Theoretical simulations fit the experimental data very well. Such a scheme of storage and retrieval of the phase-conjugate wave may have potential applications in optical signal processing and information security.

• Received 12 November 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.83.043825