Three-channel all-optical routing in a Pr^3+:Y_2SiO_5 crystal

We experimentally demonstrate a three-channel all-optical routing based on light storage in a Pr(3+):Y(2)SiO(5) crystal. By switching off the control field under the condition of electromagnetically induced transparency, the optical information of the probe light pulse can be stored in the crystal. When three retrieve control fields are switched on in the release process, the stored optical information from one light channel can be transferred (or distributed) into three different light channels. Also we show that this all-optical routing can be time-delayed. Such a multichannel all-optical routing in solids may have practical applications in quantum information and all-optical network.