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:2101.01936 · Physical Review Letters

Quantum Nonlinear Optics Based on Two-Dimensional Rydberg Atom Arrays

M. Moreno-Cardoner, D. Goncalves, D. E. Chang

Published Dec 23, 2021• 68 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We propose the combination of subwavelength, two-dimensional atomic arrays and Rydberg interactions as a powerful platform to realize strong, coherent interactions between individual photons with high fidelity. The atomic spatial ordering guarantees efficient atom-light interactions without the possibility of scattering light into unwanted directions, allowing the array to act as a perfect mirror for individual photons. In turn, Rydberg interactions enable single photons to alter the optical response of the array within a potentially large blockade radius R_{b}, which can effectively punch a large "hole" for subsequent photons. We show that such a system enables a coherent photon-photon gate or switch, with a significantly better error scaling (∼R_{b}^{-4}) than in a disordered ensemble. We also investigate the optical properties of the system in the limit of strong input intensities and show that this many-body quantum driven dissipative system can be modeled well by a semiclassical model based on holes punched in a classical mirror.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.127.263602

Related papers

Photon-photon interactions in Rydberg-atom arrays

Lida Zhang, Valentin Walther, Klaus Mølmer +1 more

We investigate the interaction of weak light fields with two-dimensional lattices of atoms with high lying atomic Rydberg states. This system features different interactions that act on disparate length scales, from zero-range defect scattering of atomic excitations and finite-range dipole exchange processes to long-range Rydberg-state interactions, which span the entire array and can block multiple Rydberg excitations. Analyzing their interplay, we identify conditions that yield a nonlinear quantum mirror which coherently splits incident fields into correlated photon-pairs in a single transverse mode, while transmitting single photons unaffected. In particular, we find strong anti-bunching of the transmitted light with equal-time pair correlations that decrease exponentially with an increasing range of the Rydberg blockade. Such strong photon-photon interactions in the absence of photon losses open up promising avenues for the generation and manipulation of quantum light, and the exploration of many-body phenomena with interacting photons.

arXiv:2101.11375•Quantum•Mar 30, 2022•48 citations

A subwavelength atomic array switched by a single Rydberg atom

Kritsana Srakaew, Pascal Weckesser, Simon Hollerith +4 more

Enhancing light-matter coupling at the level of single quanta is essential for numerous applications in quantum science. The cooperative optical response of subwavelength atomic arrays has been found to open new pathways for such strong light-matter couplings, while simultaneously offering access to multiple spatial modes of the light field. Efficient single-mode free-space coupling to such arrays has been reported, but the spatial control over the modes of outgoing light fields has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate such spatial control over the optical response of an atomically thin mirror formed by a subwavelength array of atoms in free space using a single controlled ancilla atom excited to a Rydberg state. The switching behavior is controlled by the admixture of a small Rydberg fraction to the atomic mirror, and consequently strong dipolar Rydberg interactions with the ancilla. Driving Rabi oscillations on the ancilla atom, we demonstrate coherent control of the transmission and reflection of the array. These results represent a step towards the realization of quantum coherent metasurfaces, the demonstration of controlled atom-photon entanglement and deterministic engineering of quantum states of light.

arXiv:2207.09383•Jul 19, 2022•3 citations

Unidirectional quantum-optical elements for waveguide-QED with subwavelength Rydberg-atom arrays in free space

Lida Zhang, Fan Yang, Klaus Mølmer +1 more

We describe an approach to achieve near-perfect unidirectional light–matter coupling to an effective quantum emitter that is formed by a subwavelength array of atoms in the Rydberg-blockade regime. The nonlinear reflection and transmission of such two-dimensional superatoms are exploited in different interferometric setups for the deterministic generation of tunable single photons and entangling two-photon operations with high fidelities, F ≳0.999. The described setup can function as a versatile nonlinear optical element in a free-space photonic quantum network with simple linear elements and without the need of additional mode confinement, optical resonators, or optical isolators.

Optica Quantum•Apr 22, 2025•4 citations

A subwavelength atomic array switched by a single Rydberg atom

Kritsana Srakaew, Pascal Weckesser, Simon Hollerith +4 more

Abstract Enhancing light–matter coupling at the level of single quanta is essential for numerous applications in quantum science. The cooperative optical response of subwavelength atomic arrays has been found to open new pathways for such strong light–matter couplings, while simultaneously offering access to multiple spatial modes of the light field. Efficient single-mode free-space coupling to such arrays has been reported, but spatial control over the modes of outgoing light fields has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate such spatial control over the optical response of an atomically thin mirror formed by a subwavelength array of atoms in free space using a single controlled ancilla atom excited to a Rydberg state. The switching behaviour is controlled by the admixture of a small Rydberg fraction to the atomic mirror, and consequently strong dipolar Rydberg interactions with the ancilla. Driving Rabi oscillations on the ancilla atom, we demonstrate coherent control of the transmission and reflection of the array. These results represent a step towards the realization of quantum coherent metasurfaces, the demonstration of controlled atom–photon entanglement and deterministic engineering of quantum states of light.

Nature Physics•Feb 16, 2023•98 citations

Realization of a cavity-coupled Rydberg array

Jacopo De Santis, Balázs Dura-Kovács, Mehmet Öncü +3 more

Scalable quantum computers and quantum networks require the combination of quantum processing nodes with efficient light-matter interfaces to distribute quantum information in local or long-distance quantum networks. Neutral-atom arrays have both been coupled to Rydberg states to enable high-fidelity quantum gates in universal processing architectures, and to optical cavities to realize interfaces to photons. However, combining these two capabilities and coupling atom arrays to highly excited Rydberg states in the mode of an optical cavity has been an outstanding challenge. Here we present a novel cavity-coupled Rydberg array that achieves this long-standing goal. We prepare, detect, and control individual atoms in a scalable optical tweezer array, couple them strongly to the optical mode of a high-finesse optical cavity and excite them in a controlled way to Rydberg states. We show that high-cooperativity coupling to an optical cavity -- demonstrated via the dispersive shift of the resonance of the cavity in presence of the atoms -- and strong Rydberg interactions -- demonstrated via the collective enhancement of Rydberg coupling in the atomic array -- can be achieved in our setup at the same spatial location. Our presented experimental platform opens the path to several new directions, including the realization of quantum network nodes, quantum simulation of long-range interacting, open quantum systems and photonic-state engineering leveraging high-fidelity Rydberg control.

quant-pharXiv:2602.12152•Feb 13, 2026•0 citations

Chiral Quantum-Optical Elements for Waveguide-QED with Sub-wavelength Rydberg-Atom Arrays

Lida Zhang, Fan Yang, Klaus Mølmer +1 more

We describe an approach to achieve near-perfect unidirectional light-matter coupling to an effective quantum emitter that is formed by a subwavelength array of atoms in the Rydberg-blockade regime. The nonlinear reflection and transmission of such two-dimensional superatoms are exploited in different interferometric setups for the deterministic generation of tunable single photons and entangling two-photon operations with high fidelities, $\mathcal{F}\gtrsim0.999$. The described setup can function as a versatile nonlinear optical element in a free-space photonic quantum network with simple linear elements and without the need of additional mode confinement, optical resonators, or optical isolators.

arXiv:2407.01133•Jul 1, 2024•1 citation
We propose the combination of subwavelength, two-dimensional atomic arrays and Rydberg interactions as a powerful platform to realize strong, coherent interactions between individual photons with high fidelity. The atomic spatial ordering guarantees efficient atom-light interactions without the possibility of scattering light into unwanted directions, allowing the array to act as a perfect mirror for individual photons. In turn, Rydberg interactions enable single photons to alter the optical response of the array within a potentially large blockade radius R_{b}, which can effectively punch a large "hole" for subsequent photons. We show that such a system enables a coherent photon-photon gate or switch, with a significantly better error scaling (∼R_{b}^{-4}) than in a disordered ensemble. We also investigate the optical properties of the system in the limit of strong input intensities and show that this many-body quantum driven dissipative system can be modeled well by a semiclassical model based on holes punched in a classical mirror.
We investigate the interaction of weak light fields with two-dimensional lattices of atoms with high lying atomic Rydberg states. This system features different interactions that act on disparate length scales, from zero-range defect scattering of atomic excitations and finite-range dipole exchange processes to long-range Rydberg-state interactions, which span the entire array and can block multiple Rydberg excitations. Analyzing their interplay, we identify conditions that yield a nonlinear quantum mirror which coherently splits incident fields into correlated photon-pairs in a single transverse mode, while transmitting single photons unaffected. In particular, we find strong anti-bunching of the transmitted light with equal-time pair correlations that decrease exponentially with an increasing range of the Rydberg blockade. Such strong photon-photon interactions in the absence of photon losses open up promising avenues for the generation and manipulation of quantum light, and the exploration of many-body phenomena with interacting photons.
Enhancing light-matter coupling at the level of single quanta is essential for numerous applications in quantum science. The cooperative optical response of subwavelength atomic arrays has been found to open new pathways for such strong light-matter couplings, while simultaneously offering access to multiple spatial modes of the light field. Efficient single-mode free-space coupling to such arrays has been reported, but the spatial control over the modes of outgoing light fields has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate such spatial control over the optical response of an atomically thin mirror formed by a subwavelength array of atoms in free space using a single controlled ancilla atom excited to a Rydberg state. The switching behavior is controlled by the admixture of a small Rydberg fraction to the atomic mirror, and consequently strong dipolar Rydberg interactions with the ancilla. Driving Rabi oscillations on the ancilla atom, we demonstrate coherent control of the transmission and reflection of the array. These results represent a step towards the realization of quantum coherent metasurfaces, the demonstration of controlled atom-photon entanglement and deterministic engineering of quantum states of light.
We describe an approach to achieve near-perfect unidirectional light–matter coupling to an effective quantum emitter that is formed by a subwavelength array of atoms in the Rydberg-blockade regime. The nonlinear reflection and transmission of such two-dimensional superatoms are exploited in different interferometric setups for the deterministic generation of tunable single photons and entangling two-photon operations with high fidelities, F ≳0.999. The described setup can function as a versatile nonlinear optical element in a free-space photonic quantum network with simple linear elements and without the need of additional mode confinement, optical resonators, or optical isolators.
Abstract Enhancing light–matter coupling at the level of single quanta is essential for numerous applications in quantum science. The cooperative optical response of subwavelength atomic arrays has been found to open new pathways for such strong light–matter couplings, while simultaneously offering access to multiple spatial modes of the light field. Efficient single-mode free-space coupling to such arrays has been reported, but spatial control over the modes of outgoing light fields has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate such spatial control over the optical response of an atomically thin mirror formed by a subwavelength array of atoms in free space using a single controlled ancilla atom excited to a Rydberg state. The switching behaviour is controlled by the admixture of a small Rydberg fraction to the atomic mirror, and consequently strong dipolar Rydberg interactions with the ancilla. Driving Rabi oscillations on the ancilla atom, we demonstrate coherent control of the transmission and reflection of the array. These results represent a step towards the realization of quantum coherent metasurfaces, the demonstration of controlled atom–photon entanglement and deterministic engineering of quantum states of light.
Scalable quantum computers and quantum networks require the combination of quantum processing nodes with efficient light-matter interfaces to distribute quantum information in local or long-distance quantum networks. Neutral-atom arrays have both been coupled to Rydberg states to enable high-fidelity quantum gates in universal processing architectures, and to optical cavities to realize interfaces to photons. However, combining these two capabilities and coupling atom arrays to highly excited Rydberg states in the mode of an optical cavity has been an outstanding challenge. Here we present a novel cavity-coupled Rydberg array that achieves this long-standing goal. We prepare, detect, and control individual atoms in a scalable optical tweezer array, couple them strongly to the optical mode of a high-finesse optical cavity and excite them in a controlled way to Rydberg states. We show that high-cooperativity coupling to an optical cavity -- demonstrated via the dispersive shift of the resonance of the cavity in presence of the atoms -- and strong Rydberg interactions -- demonstrated via the collective enhancement of Rydberg coupling in the atomic array -- can be achieved in our setup at the same spatial location. Our presented experimental platform opens the path to several new directions, including the realization of quantum network nodes, quantum simulation of long-range interacting, open quantum systems and photonic-state engineering leveraging high-fidelity Rydberg control.
We describe an approach to achieve near-perfect unidirectional light-matter coupling to an effective quantum emitter that is formed by a subwavelength array of atoms in the Rydberg-blockade regime. The nonlinear reflection and transmission of such two-dimensional superatoms are exploited in different interferometric setups for the deterministic generation of tunable single photons and entangling two-photon operations with high fidelities, F≳0.999\mathcal{F}\gtrsim0.999F≳0.999. The described setup can function as a versatile nonlinear optical element in a free-space photonic quantum network with simple linear elements and without the need of additional mode confinement, optical resonators, or optical isolators.