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arXiv:1510.04494 · Physical Review A

Rectification of light in the quantum regime

Jibo Dai, Alexandre Roulet, Huy Nguyên Lê, Valerio Scarani

Published Dec 30, 2015• 29 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.92.063848

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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 7070%70 for the range of power in which one of the two atoms is excited, but not both.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 2014
We study the dynamics of the single-photon pulse (SPP) propagating through a pair of V-type three-level atoms coupled to a one-dimensional (1D) waveguide. The time evolutions of the two atoms can be influenced by the phase difference of the two external fields driving the atoms. We show that the SPP unidirectional propagation in the 1D waveguide can be controlled by the phase difference of the two external fields, and the rectifying efficiency increases as the bandwidth of the SPP decreases. The system can serve as the basis of all-optical devices, such as optical diode, optical isolator and optical rectifier.