Quantum Photonic Elements Built from Cooperative Atomic Arrays
Abstract
This research project aims to develop a fundamentally new platform for atom-photon interactions by leveraging cooperative dynamics in atom arrays as an alternative to classical photonic elements, like cavities and waveguides. Cooperative interactions between atoms in an ordered array dramatically alter the optical properties of the system. An atom in an ordered array will experience both an external driving field and the scattered field of nearby atoms at the same optical transition wavelength. Depending on the inter-atomic spacing, the scattered fields from all the atoms will interfere, resulting in a cooperative response of the system, which can be constructive (super-radiant) or destructive (sub-radiant). For atomic spacings close to the transition wavelength in a 2D array of atoms, the response results in near-perfect reflection of the incident excitation light, as all other scattering pathways are suppressed due to destructive interference, turning the array into an atomic mirror. This project will experimentally explore these cooperative effects using ytterbium atoms trapped in arrays of optical tweezers. The unique level structure of ytterbium enables the trapping of atoms at interatomic distances smaller than the relevant probe wavelengths, thus realizing the cooperative regime. Investigating these systems results in groundbreaking observations, such as the cooperative mirror effect in a 2D optical tweezer array and the creation of an all-atom optical cavity from a pair of atomic mirrors. Furthermore, we will examine fundamental questions in these systems, such as the role of disorder and the cooperative effect on atomic resonances. By replacing conventional photonic components, such as cavities, with arrays of atoms, our research will establish a new frontier in atom-photon interactions that enables all-atomic quantum optical systems where every element is a quantum mechanical object.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502410662
Entities
People
- Alexander Burgers
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Board of Regents of the University of Michigan
- United States Air Force