Work

Unidirectional quantum-optical elements for waveguide-QED with subwavelength Rydberg-atom arrays in free space

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We describe an approach to achieve near-perfect unidirectional light–matter coupling to an effective quantum emitter that is formed by a subwavelength array of atoms in the Rydberg-blockade regime. The nonlinear reflection and transmission of such two-dimensional superatoms are exploited in different interferometric setups for the deterministic generation of tunable single photons and entangling two-photon operations with high fidelities, F ≳0.999. The described setup can function as a versatile nonlinear optical element in a free-space photonic quantum network with simple linear elements and without the need of additional mode confinement, optical resonators, or optical isolators.

Source: Optica Quantum

DOI: 10.1364/opticaq.545710

Authors: Lida Zhang, Fan Yang, Klaus Mølmer, Thomas Pohl

Institutions: East China University of Science and Technology, University of Copenhagen

Language: English

Topic: Quantum optics and atomic interactions

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: European Commission, Danmarks Grundforskningsfond, Austrian Science Fund

Awards: G1824957809, G2879697065, Center for Hybrid Quantum Networks (Hy-Q), G5302217128