Time-to-frequency Fourier transformation with photon echoes

We propose to use photon echoes in rare-earth-doped crystals to implement t he Fourier-transform chirp algorithm. The process is considered for applica tion to spectral analysis of fast radio-frequency signals. Compared with su rface acoustic wave devices, the proposed scheme gives access to the larger bandwidths of rare-earth-doped crystals and greater flexibility. An experi mental demonstration of the proposed process is reported. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.