Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1008.4430 · Physical Review A

Unified single-photon and single-electron counting statistics: From cavity QED to electron transport

Neill Lambert, Yueh-Nan Chen, Franco Nori

Published Dec 30, 2010• 18 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

A key ingredient of cavity QED is the coupling between the discrete energy levels of an atom and photons in a single-mode cavity. The addition of periodic ultrashort laser pulses allows one to use such a system as a source of single photons---a vital ingredient in quantum information and optical computing schemes. Here we analyze and time-adjust the photon-counting statistics of such a single-photon source and show that the photon statistics can be described by a simple transport-like nonequilibrium model. We then show that there is a one-to-one correspondence of this model to that of nonequilibrium transport of electrons through a double quantum dot nanostructure, unifying the fields of photon-counting statistics and electron-transport statistics. This correspondence empowers us to adapt several tools previously used for detecting quantum behavior in electron-transport systems (e.g., super-Poissonian shot noise and an extension of the Leggett-Garg inequality) to single-photon-source experiments.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.82.063840

Related papers

Photon statistics of a non-stationary periodically driven single-photon source

M Hennrich, T Legero, Axel Kuhn +1 more

We investigate the photon statistics of a single-photon source that operates under non-stationary conditions. The photons are emitted by shining a periodic sequence of laser pulses on single atoms falling randomly through a high-finesse optical cavity. Strong antibunching is found in the intensity correlation of the emitted light, demonstrating that a single atom emits photons one at a time. However, the number of atoms interacting with the cavity follows a Poissonian statistics so that, on average, no sub-Poissonian photon statistics is obtained, unless the measurement is conditioned on the presence of single atoms.

arXiv:quant-ph/0406034•New Journal of Physics•Jul 30, 2004•40 citations

Waiting time statistics for a double quantum dot coupled to an optical cavity

Luís Ferreira dos Santos, Gabriel Teixeira Landi

A double quantum dot coupled to an optical cavity is a prototypical example of a nontrivial open quantum system. Recent experimental and theoretical studies show that this system is a candidate for single-photon detection in the microwave domain. This motivates studies that go beyond just the average current, and also take into account the full counting statistics of photon and electron detections. With this in mind, here we provide a detailed analysis of the waiting time statistics of this system within the quantum jump unraveling, which allows us to extract analytical expressions for the success and failure probabilities, as well as for the interdetection times. Furthermore, by comparing single- and multiphoton scenarios, we infer a hierarchy of occurrence probabilities for the different events, highlighting the role of photon interference events in the detection probabilities. Our results therefore provide a direct illustration of how waiting time statistics can be used to optimize a timely and relevant metrological task.

arXiv:2404.13775•Physical Review A•Apr 9, 2025•1 citation

Non-classical photon statistics in frequency-modulated double quantum dot cavity systems

T. Mihaescu, A. Isar, M. A. Macovei

The quantum dynamics of a double quantum dot two-level system, coupled to a leaking microwave resonator mode, is theoretically investigated. The double quantum dot is driven by applying a continuous field giving rise to time-dependent modulations of its energy separation between the ground levels of each dot, forming the qubit. Therefore, the cavity resonances occur when the difference between the resonator and the qubit frequencies equals the multiple of the modulation frequency, respectively. In the strong Coulomb interaction limit and the weak couplings of the combined system, i.e. the qubit and the single-mode cavity, to corresponding electronic, phononic or photonic reservoirs, we have demonstrated that the output cavity electromagnetic field is formed of a single-photon flux obeying the sub-Poissonian quantum photon statistics. This was proved via Fano's factor behaviour or by comparing the resonator's second- and third-order photon correlation functions, respectively. The phonon, the cavity mode dephasing or the environmental temperatures influence on the quantum properties of the photons are also discussed.

quant-pharXiv:2607.24067•Physica E Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures•Jul 28, 2026•1 citation

Single-photon nonlinearity of a semiconductor quantum dot in a cavity

D. Sanvitto, Fabrice P. Laussy, Frank Bello +6 more

A single atom in a cavity is the model system of cavity quantum electrodynamics (CQED). The strong coupling regime between the atom and cavity-confined photon corresponds to the reversible exchange of energy between the two modes, and underpins a wide range of CQED phenomena with applications in quantum information science, including for example as quantum logic gates and as sources of entangled states. An important advance was achieved recently when strong coupling between excitons and cavity photons was reported for the first time for localized quantum dots (QDs) in micron-size solid state cavities. This has significance in terms of scalability and integration with other optical devices, and could lead to the emergence of "quantum optics on a chip" technology. However the results presented so far for quantum dots are in the linear regime, corresponding to coupling to the vacuum field (vacuum Rabi splitting); they are not a true QED effect and can equally well be described by classical physics as the coupling between two oscillators. In this paper, we present evidence for a purely quantum phenomenon for the QD/cavity photon system, namely the increase in splitting of the levels when the mean number of photons in the cavity is increased. This corresponds to non-linearities on the single-photon scale: the presence of a single excitation in the cavity changes the level structure, affecting the emission energies for a second photon. Such results are a first step in demonstrating the promise of quantum dots for CQED applications.

arXiv:cond-mat/0612034•Dec 1, 2006•0 citations

A single-photon source for quantum networking

Jerome Dilley, Dilley, Jerome Alexander Martin

Cavity quantum electrodynamics (cavity QED) with single atoms and single photons provides a promising route toward scalable quantum information processing (QIP) and computing. A strongly coupled atom-cavity system should act as a universal quantum interface, allowing the generation and storage of quantum information. This thesis describes the realisation of an atom-cavity system used for the production and manipulation of single photons. These photons are shown to exhibit strong sub-Poissonian statistics and indistinguishability, both prerequisites for their use in realistic quantum systems. Further, the ability to control the temporal shape and internal phase of the photons, as they are generated in the cavity, is demonstrated. This high degree of control presents a novel mechanism enabling the creation of arbitrary photonic quantum bits.

•Jan 1, 2012•0 citations

Sub-Poissonian light generation in a coupled quantum dot-photonic molecule system

Yuanan Zhang, Zhongyuan Yu, Wen Zhang +2 more

We theoretically investigate the photon statistics in a cavity quantum electrodynamics system of a single quantum dot (QD) coupled to photonic molecule. Our previous work [Wen Zhang et.al, Phys. Rev. A 89, 043832 (2014)] has shown that QD-bimodal cavity system can generate ultrastrongly sub-Poissonian light by regulating the ratio between driving strengths of two cavity modes. Here we study two coupled single-mode nanocavities with a QD coupling to one of them as a photonic molecule system. Statistical character of photon emission is presented by evaluating the zero-delay secondorder correlation function g2(0). When both cavities with/without QD are driven, the sub-Poissonian character can be optimized by regulating the ratio between driving strengths of each cavities. We also present the dependences of other system parameters on the photon statistics. The physical mechanism of both effects is to optimize the combination of super-Poissonian and coherent light which results in sub-Poissonian light generation. As a result g2(0) can be reduced up to several orders of magnitude compared with the QD coupled one-mode-cavity system.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Nov 18, 2014•0 citations
A key ingredient of cavity QED is the coupling between the discrete energy levels of an atom and photons in a single-mode cavity. The addition of periodic ultrashort laser pulses allows one to use such a system as a source of single photons---a vital ingredient in quantum information and optical computing schemes. Here we analyze and time-adjust the photon-counting statistics of such a single-photon source and show that the photon statistics can be described by a simple transport-like nonequilibrium model. We then show that there is a one-to-one correspondence of this model to that of nonequilibrium transport of electrons through a double quantum dot nanostructure, unifying the fields of photon-counting statistics and electron-transport statistics. This correspondence empowers us to adapt several tools previously used for detecting quantum behavior in electron-transport systems (e.g., super-Poissonian shot noise and an extension of the Leggett-Garg inequality) to single-photon-source experiments.
We investigate the photon statistics of a single-photon source that operates under non-stationary conditions. The photons are emitted by shining a periodic sequence of laser pulses on single atoms falling randomly through a high-finesse optical cavity. Strong antibunching is found in the intensity correlation of the emitted light, demonstrating that a single atom emits photons one at a time. However, the number of atoms interacting with the cavity follows a Poissonian statistics so that, on average, no sub-Poissonian photon statistics is obtained, unless the measurement is conditioned on the presence of single atoms.
A double quantum dot coupled to an optical cavity is a prototypical example of a nontrivial open quantum system. Recent experimental and theoretical studies show that this system is a candidate for single-photon detection in the microwave domain. This motivates studies that go beyond just the average current, and also take into account the full counting statistics of photon and electron detections. With this in mind, here we provide a detailed analysis of the waiting time statistics of this system within the quantum jump unraveling, which allows us to extract analytical expressions for the success and failure probabilities, as well as for the interdetection times. Furthermore, by comparing single- and multiphoton scenarios, we infer a hierarchy of occurrence probabilities for the different events, highlighting the role of photon interference events in the detection probabilities. Our results therefore provide a direct illustration of how waiting time statistics can be used to optimize a timely and relevant metrological task.
The quantum dynamics of a double quantum dot two-level system, coupled to a leaking microwave resonator mode, is theoretically investigated. The double quantum dot is driven by applying a continuous field giving rise to time-dependent modulations of its energy separation between the ground levels of each dot, forming the qubit. Therefore, the cavity resonances occur when the difference between the resonator and the qubit frequencies equals the multiple of the modulation frequency, respectively. In the strong Coulomb interaction limit and the weak couplings of the combined system, i.e. the qubit and the single-mode cavity, to corresponding electronic, phononic or photonic reservoirs, we have demonstrated that the output cavity electromagnetic field is formed of a single-photon flux obeying the sub-Poissonian quantum photon statistics. This was proved via Fano's factor behaviour or by comparing the resonator's second- and third-order photon correlation functions, respectively. The phonon, the cavity mode dephasing or the environmental temperatures influence on the quantum properties of the photons are also discussed.
A single atom in a cavity is the model system of cavity quantum electrodynamics (CQED). The strong coupling regime between the atom and cavity-confined photon corresponds to the reversible exchange of energy between the two modes, and underpins a wide range of CQED phenomena with applications in quantum information science, including for example as quantum logic gates and as sources of entangled states. An important advance was achieved recently when strong coupling between excitons and cavity photons was reported for the first time for localized quantum dots (QDs) in micron-size solid state cavities. This has significance in terms of scalability and integration with other optical devices, and could lead to the emergence of "quantum optics on a chip" technology. However the results presented so far for quantum dots are in the linear regime, corresponding to coupling to the vacuum field (vacuum Rabi splitting); they are not a true QED effect and can equally well be described by classical physics as the coupling between two oscillators. In this paper, we present evidence for a purely quantum phenomenon for the QD/cavity photon system, namely the increase in splitting of the levels when the mean number of photons in the cavity is increased. This corresponds to non-linearities on the single-photon scale: the presence of a single excitation in the cavity changes the level structure, affecting the emission energies for a second photon. Such results are a first step in demonstrating the promise of quantum dots for CQED applications.
Cavity quantum electrodynamics (cavity QED) with single atoms and single photons provides a promising route toward scalable quantum information processing (QIP) and computing. A strongly coupled atom-cavity system should act as a universal quantum interface, allowing the generation and storage of quantum information. This thesis describes the realisation of an atom-cavity system used for the production and manipulation of single photons. These photons are shown to exhibit strong sub-Poissonian statistics and indistinguishability, both prerequisites for their use in realistic quantum systems. Further, the ability to control the temporal shape and internal phase of the photons, as they are generated in the cavity, is demonstrated. This high degree of control presents a novel mechanism enabling the creation of arbitrary photonic quantum bits.
We theoretically investigate the photon statistics in a cavity quantum electrodynamics system of a single quantum dot (QD) coupled to photonic molecule. Our previous work [Wen Zhang et.al, Phys. Rev. A 89, 043832 (2014)] has shown that QD-bimodal cavity system can generate ultrastrongly sub-Poissonian light by regulating the ratio between driving strengths of two cavity modes. Here we study two coupled single-mode nanocavities with a QD coupling to one of them as a photonic molecule system. Statistical character of photon emission is presented by evaluating the zero-delay secondorder correlation function g2(0). When both cavities with/without QD are driven, the sub-Poissonian character can be optimized by regulating the ratio between driving strengths of each cavities. We also present the dependences of other system parameters on the photon statistics. The physical mechanism of both effects is to optimize the combination of super-Poissonian and coherent light which results in sub-Poissonian light generation. As a result g2(0) can be reduced up to several orders of magnitude compared with the QD coupled one-mode-cavity system.