Abstract: An apparatus has a plurality of photonic elements. At least two photonic elements forming a cavity. At least one photonic element receives first electromagnetic radiation from outside the cavity and transmits the first electromagnetic radiation into the photonic cavity. At least one photonic element receives second electromagnetic radiation from outside the cavity and transmits the second radiation into the photonic cavity. A photonic memory disposed in the cavity comprises an atomic system that: receives a photon field of first radiation; receives second radiation; stores at least a portion of the field of the photon in the atomic system via an atomic transition using the photon and the received second radiation; emits the stored portion of the photon upon receiving third electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus directs the photon into the photonic memory, after being reflected into the photonic cavity by at least one of the photonic elements; and outputs the emitted portion of the field into the cavity.