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arXiv:1603.02771 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Atom–atom interactions around the band edge of a photonic crystal waveguide

Jonathan D. Hood, Akihisa Goban, Ana Asenjo-Garcı́a, Mingwu Lu, Su‐Peng Yu, Darrick E. Chang, Harry J. Kimble

Published Aug 31, 2016• 241 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Tailoring the interactions between quantum emitters and single photons constitutes one of the cornerstones of quantum optics. Coupling a quantum emitter to the band edge of a photonic crystal waveguide (PCW) provides a unique platform for tuning these interactions. In particular, the cross-over from propagating fields [Formula: see text] outside the bandgap to localized fields [Formula: see text] within the bandgap should be accompanied by a transition from largely dissipative atom-atom interactions to a regime where dispersive atom-atom interactions are dominant. Here, we experimentally observe this transition by shifting the band edge frequency of the PCW relative to the [Formula: see text] line of atomic cesium for [Formula: see text] atoms trapped along the PCW. Our results are the initial demonstration of this paradigm for coherent atom-atom interactions with low dissipation into the guided mode.

DOI
10.1073/pnas.1603788113

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Tailoring the interactions between quantum emitters and single photons constitutes one of the cornerstones of quantum optics. Coupling a quantum emitter to the band edge of a photonic crystal waveguide (PCW) provides a unique platform for tuning these interactions. In particular, the cross-over from propagating fields [Formula: see text] outside the bandgap to localized fields [Formula: see text] within the bandgap should be accompanied by a transition from largely dissipative atom-atom interactions to a regime where dispersive atom-atom interactions are dominant. Here, we experimentally observe this transition by shifting the band edge frequency of the PCW relative to the [Formula: see text] line of atomic cesium for [Formula: see text] atoms trapped along the PCW. Our results are the initial demonstration of this paradigm for coherent atom-atom interactions with low dissipation into the guided mode.
Reaching a regime of strong coupling between light and atoms is a long-sought goal in quantum optics, as it will enable non-linear optics at the photon level. Interfacing atoms with guided light in nanophotonic waveguides is a promising route to achieve such regimes. Experimental platforms include nanofibers [1] and photonic crystal waveguides (PCWs), owing to the large transverse confinement of their guided modes. With PCWs, tuning the dispersion relation gives rise to the additional benefit of a very low group velocity of the guided light [2] , allowing for strong coupling even in single pass. Moreover these systems can help explore waveguide-QED and probe exciting novel bandgap physics [3] . While encouraging values of couplings have been observed with first corrugated devices [4] , a photonic platform with trapped atoms via guided modes in the vicinity of a waveguide and lying deep in the strong coupling regime has yet to be demonstrated.
We report observations of superradiance for atoms trapped in the near field of a photonic crystal waveguide (PCW). By fabricating the PCW with a band edge near the D(1) transition of atomic cesium, strong interaction is achieved between trapped atoms and guided-mode photons. Following short-pulse excitation, we record the decay of guided-mode emission and find a superradiant emission rate scaling as Γ̅(SR)∝N̅Γ(1D) for average atom number 0.19≲N̅≲2.6 atoms, where Γ(1D)/Γ'=1.0±0.1 is the peak single-atom radiative decay rate into the PCW guided mode, and Γ' is the radiative decay rate into all the other channels. These advances provide new tools for investigations of photon-mediated atom-atom interactions in the many-body regime.
New opportunities for optical physics emerge from the integration of cold atoms with nanophotonic devices. Due to their small optical loss and tight field confinement, these nanoscale dielectric devices are capable of mediating strong atom-light interactions and open new avenues for quantum transport and quantum many-body phenomena. In particular, coupling atoms to the band edge of a photonic crystal waveguide (PCW) provides a unique platform for generating tunable range coherent atom-atom interactions which are mediated by the guided mode photons.
Interfacing cold neutral atoms and photons guided in nanoscale waveguides has raised a large interest over the recent years, with a wealth of emerging opportunities. Arrays of atoms can be trapped in the evanescent field of guided modes and the strong transverse confinement enables to increase the individual atom-photon coupling in single pass. Remarkable experimental advances have been obtained with optical nanofibers [1], but photonic crystals waveguides (PCW) are very promising as they allow for precise dispersion engineering. Despite these promises, trapping atoms in the vicinity of such PCWs is still at its infancy.
We study the optical properties of an ensemble of two-level atoms coupled to a 1D photonic crystal waveguide (PCW), which mediates long-range coherent dipole–dipole interactions between the atoms. We show that the long-range interactions can dramatically alter the linear and nonlinear optical behavior, as compared to a typical atomic ensemble. In particular, in the linear regime, we find that the transmission spectrum contains multiple transmission dips, whose properties we characterize. Moreover, we show how the linear spectrum may be used to infer the number of atoms present in the system, constituting an important experimental tool in a regime where techniques for conventional ensembles break down. We also show that some of the transmission dips are associated with an effective 'two-level' resonance that forms due to the long-range interactions. In particular, under strong global driving and appropriate conditions, we find that the atomic ensemble is only capable of absorbing and emitting single collective excitations at a time. Our results are of direct relevance to atom-PCW experiments that should soon be realizable.
Integrating atomic physics with nanophotonics devices provides a new research platform for quantum optics and many-body physics. The robustness and scalability of advanced lithographic fabrication technology provide powerful tools to enhance and control atom-photon interaction. Dispersion engineered photonic crystal waveguides (PCWs), such as the alligator photonic crystal waveguides (APCWs) described in this thesis, allow stable trapping and probing of atoms via guided modes (GMs). By tuning the photonic band-edges of the PCWs, the photon-mediated interactions between atoms can be modified. This thesis describes simulations and experiments that develop a quantitative understanding of atomic motion near the surfaces of APCWs. The atoms are delivered to APCWs using optical lattice. Synchronous with the moving lattice, transmission spectra for a guided-mode probe field are recorded as functions of lattice transport time and frequency detuning of the probe beam. With these 2D "clocked" spectra, we have been able to validate quantitatively our numerical simulations, which are based upon a detailed understanding of atomic trajectories that pass around and through nanoscopic regions of the APCW under the influence of optical and surface forces. By introducing auxiliary GMs of various polarizations and intensities, we have begun to control the atomic trajectories to some degree. For example, atoms can be guided to the central vacuum gap of the APCW at predetermined times and with known AC-Stark shifts. The applications of combining clocked atom delivery and numerical simulation include enabling high fractional filling of optical trap sites within PCWs, calibration of optical fields within PCWs, and utilization of the time-dependent, optically dense atomic medium for novel nonlinear optical experiments.