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arXiv:1403.5620 · Physical Review A

Quantum optical diode with semiconductor microcavities

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

Published Aug 26, 2014• 120 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.90.023849

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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.
We propose a scheme of realizing an optical diode at the few-photon level. The system consists of a one-dimensional waveguide coupled asymmetrically to a two-level system. The two or multiphoton transport in this system is strongly correlated. We derive exactly the single and two-photon current and show that the two-photon current is asymmetric for the asymmetric coupling. Thus the system serves as an optical diode which allows transmission of photons in one direction much more efficiently than the opposite.
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, 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 a nonlinear-linear junction of coupled resonators. It is shown that such a surprisingly 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 operations in integrated circuits, the nonlinear-linear junction realizes a crucial building component in prospective quantum photonic applications.
We study coherent few-photon transport in a dissipative nonlinear cavity coupled to a 1D waveguide, deriving analytical solutions that reveal how cavity dissipation regulates the few-photon diode effect. Key findings show that under Γ/𝜆 = 1 (Γ:waveguide-cavity coupling, 𝜆: dissipation) and 𝛿1 = 0Γ:(1) For single photons, left incidence yields perfect transmission while right incidence causes complete dissipation absorption, forming an efficient single-photon diode;(2) For two photons under single-photon resonance, left incidence allows unimpeded transmission whereas right incidence results in near-total dissipation (> 99%)leaving only a faint bound state, maintaining strong diode characteristics despite minimal transmission. The condition Γ/𝜆 = 1 optimizes directional suppression via cavity dissipation, providing a theoretical foundation for quantum diode devices in integrated quantum optics and information processing.
We studied the coherent transport of one or two photons in a one-dimensional waveguide chirally coupled to a dissipative nonlinear cavity. The scattering amplitudes were derived analytically. With the assist of dissipation, we can realize an ideal optical diode at the single-photon level, i. e., the transmittance is unity from one side and zero form the other side. The working area and properties of the two-photon diode are also found. This work details the relation between the diode effect and our system parameters, especially dissipation, which may find it applications in nonreciprocal quantum devices and quantum networks.
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.