Electronic diodes, which enable the rectification of an electrical energy flux, have played a crucial role in the development of current microelectronics after the invention of semiconductor p-n junctions. Analogously, creating complete optical rectification at specific target wavelengths has recently become a key goal in optical communication and signal processing on-chip. Here we propose a genuinely quantum optical diode, designed as a universal quantum nonlinear device working as a valve for photonic transport at the single or few photons level. The essential rectifying features are demonstrated in a general model of a nonlinear-linear junction of coupled resonators. It is shown that such a surprisingly simple structure behaves as a single- or two-photon rectifier, depending on the input frequency. Given the relevance of non-reciprocal operations in integrated circuits, the quantum optical diode realizes a crucial building component in prospective quantum photonic applications.Electronic diodes, which enable the rectification of an electrical energy flux, have played a crucial role in the development of current microelectronics after the invention of semiconductor p-n junctions. Analogously, creating complete optical rectification at specific target wavelengths has recently become a key goal in optical communication and signal processing on-chip. Here we propose a genuinely quantum optical diode, designed as a universal quantum nonlinear device working as a valve for photonic transport at the single or few photons level. The essential rectifying features are demonstrated in a general model of a nonlinear-linear junction of coupled resonators. It is shown that such a surprisingly simple structure behaves as a single- or two-photon rectifier, depending on the input frequency. Given the relevance of non-reciprocal operations in integrated circuits, the quantum optical diode realizes a crucial building component in prospective quantum photonic applications.

Jul 24, 20130 citations

Aq uantum optical valve in an onlinear-linear resonators junction

Eduardo Mascarenhas, Dario Gerace, Damien Valente

E lectronic diodes, which enable the rectif ication of an electrical energy fl ux, have played a crucial role in the development of current microelectronics after the invention of semicon- ductor p-n junctions. Analogously, signal rectification at specific target wavelengths has recently become a key goal in optical communication and signal processing. Here we propose a genuinely quantum device with the essential rectifying features being demonstrated in a general model of an onlinear-linear junction of coupled resonators. It is shown that such as urprisingly simple structure is a versatile valve and may be alternatively tuned to behave as: a photonic diode, a single- or two-photon rectified source turning a classical input into a quantum output depending on the input frequency, or a quantum photonic splitter. Given the relevance of non-reciprocal op- erations in integrated circuits, the nonlinear-linear junction realizes a crucial building component in prospective quantum photonic applications. Copyright c ⃝ EPLA, 2014E lectronic diodes, which enable the rectif ication of an electrical energy fl ux, have played a crucial role in the development of current microelectronics after the invention of semicon- ductor p-n junctions. Analogously, signal rectification at specific target wavelengths has recently become a key goal in optical communication and signal processing. Here we propose a genuinely quantum device with the essential rectifying features being demonstrated in a general model of an onlinear-linear junction of coupled resonators. It is shown that such as urprisingly simple structure is a versatile valve and may be alternatively tuned to behave as: a photonic diode, a single- or two-photon rectified source turning a classical input into a quantum output depending on the input frequency, or a quantum photonic splitter. Given the relevance of non-reciprocal op- erations in integrated circuits, the nonlinear-linear junction realizes a crucial building component in prospective quantum photonic applications. Copyright c ⃝ EPLA, 2014

Jan 1, 20140 citations

Quantum optical diode with semiconductor microcavities

H. Z. Shen, Y. H. Zhou, X. X. Yi

The semiconductor diode, which acts as an electrical rectifier and allows unidirectional electronic transports, is the key to information processing in integrated circuits. Analogously, an optical rectifier (or diode) working at specific target wavelengths has recently become a highly sought-after device in optical communication and signal processing. In this paper, we propose a scheme to realize an optical diode for photonic transport at the level of few photons. The system consists of two spatially overlapping single-mode semiconductor microcavities coupled via ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(2)}$ nonlinearities. The photon blockade is predicted to take place in this system. These photon blockade effects can be achieved by tuning the frequency of the input laser field (driving field). Based on those blockades, we analytically derive the one- and two-photon current in terms of a zero and a finite time-delayed two-order correlation function. The results suggest that the system can serve as a one- and two-photon quantum optical diode which allows transmission of photons in one direction much more efficiently than in the other.The semiconductor diode, which acts as an electrical rectifier and allows unidirectional electronic transports, is the key to information processing in integrated circuits. Analogously, an optical rectifier (or diode) working at specific target wavelengths has recently become a highly sought-after device in optical communication and signal processing. In this paper, we propose a scheme to realize an optical diode for photonic transport at the level of few photons. The system consists of two spatially overlapping single-mode semiconductor microcavities coupled via ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(2)}$ nonlinearities. The photon blockade is predicted to take place in this system. These photon blockade effects can be achieved by tuning the frequency of the input laser field (driving field). Based on those blockades, we analytically derive the one- and two-photon current in terms of a zero and a finite time-delayed two-order correlation function. The results suggest that the system can serve as a one- and two-photon quantum optical diode which allows transmission of photons in one direction much more efficiently than in the other.

arXiv:1403.5620Physical Review AAug 26, 2014120 citations

The role of photon-number pulses in the operation of a simple light diode

Zakarya Lasmar, Shuaijie Li, Valerio Scarani

One of the challenges faced by optical platforms for quantum technologies is the implementation of (ultimately) a transistor. The functionality that is hard to achieve is rectification: having the beam propagating in one direction transmitted, the other reflected. Here we take up a simple model of such a rectifying device, a.k.a.~optical diode, consisting of two atoms with different detuning interacting with light in a one-dimensional waveguide. In previous studies, it was found that high rectifying efficiencies can be achieved with coherent states, while it was claimed that the device cannot rectify single-photon Fock states. In this paper, we clarify the functioning of this diode. Notably, we show that coherences across the Fock bases in the input state do not play any role, and thence the rectifying properties of the device depend only on its behavior on the Fock states. In the process, we show that some single-photon rectification is predicted when the limit of infinitely-long pulses is not taken.One of the challenges faced by optical platforms for quantum technologies is the implementation of (ultimately) a transistor. The functionality that is hard to achieve is rectification: having the beam propagating in one direction transmitted, the other reflected. Here we take up a simple model of such a rectifying device, a.k.a.~optical diode, consisting of two atoms with different detuning interacting with light in a one-dimensional waveguide. In previous studies, it was found that high rectifying efficiencies can be achieved with coherent states, while it was claimed that the device cannot rectify single-photon Fock states. In this paper, we clarify the functioning of this diode. Notably, we show that coherences across the Fock bases in the input state do not play any role, and thence the rectifying properties of the device depend only on its behavior on the Fock states. In the process, we show that some single-photon rectification is predicted when the limit of infinitely-long pulses is not taken.

arXiv:2112.01150Dec 2, 20210 citations

Rectification of light in the quantum regime

Jibo Dai, Alexandre Roulet, Huy Nguyên Lê +1 more

One of the missing elements for realising an integrated optical circuit is a rectifying device playing the role of an optical diode. A proposal based on a pair of two-level atoms strongly coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide showed a promising behavior based on a semiclassical study [Fratini et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 243601 (2014)]. Our study in the full quantum regime shows that, in such a device, rectification is a purely multiphoton effect. For an input field in a coherent state, rectification reaches up to $70%$ for the range of power in which one of the two atoms is excited, but not both.One of the missing elements for realising an integrated optical circuit is a rectifying device playing the role of an optical diode. A proposal based on a pair of two-level atoms strongly coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide showed a promising behavior based on a semiclassical study [Fratini et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 243601 (2014)]. Our study in the full quantum regime shows that, in such a device, rectification is a purely multiphoton effect. For an input field in a coherent state, rectification reaches up to $70%$ for the range of power in which one of the two atoms is excited, but not both.

arXiv:1510.04494Physical Review ADec 30, 201529 citations

Quantum rectifier in a one-dimensional photonic channel

Eduardo Mascarenhas, Marcelo França Santos, Alexia Auffèves +1 more

By using a fully quantum approach based on an input-output formulation of the stochastic Schr\"odinger equation, we show rectification of radiation fields in a one-dimensional waveguide doped with a pair of ideal two-level systems for three topical cases: classical driving, under the action of noise, and single-photon pulsed excitation. We show that even under the constant action of unwanted noise the device still operates effectively as an optical isolator, which is of critical importance for noise resistance. Finally, harnessing stimulated emission allows for nonreciprocal behavior for single-photon inputs, thus showing purely quantum rectification at the single-photon level. The latter is a considerable step towards the ultimate goal of devising an unconditional quantum rectifier for arbitrary quantum states.By using a fully quantum approach based on an input-output formulation of the stochastic Schr\"odinger equation, we show rectification of radiation fields in a one-dimensional waveguide doped with a pair of ideal two-level systems for three topical cases: classical driving, under the action of noise, and single-photon pulsed excitation. We show that even under the constant action of unwanted noise the device still operates effectively as an optical isolator, which is of critical importance for noise resistance. Finally, harnessing stimulated emission allows for nonreciprocal behavior for single-photon inputs, thus showing purely quantum rectification at the single-photon level. The latter is a considerable step towards the ultimate goal of devising an unconditional quantum rectifier for arbitrary quantum states.

arXiv:1510.01472Physical Review AApr 12, 201633 citations

70%

for the range of power in which one of the two atoms is excited, but not both.