Entangler via electromagnetically induced transparency with an atomic ensemble

Quantum entanglement plays an essential role in quantum information processing and quantum networks. One of the commonly-used methods to generate multiple entangled fields is to employ polarizing beam splitters. However, nonclassical input light fields are required and the generated entangled fields are always degenerate in such case. Here, we present a proof-of-principle demonstration of an efficient and convenient way to entangle multiple light fields via electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in an atomic ensemble. The atomic spin wave, produced through EIT in the L-type atomic system, can be described by a Bose operator and can act as an entangler. With such an entangler, any desired number of nondegenerate narrow-band continuous-variable entangled fields, in principle, can be generated through stimulated Raman scattering processes. This scheme holds great promise for applications in scalable quantum communication and quantum networks.