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arXiv:2106.14862 · Physical Review A

One-sided destructive quantum interference from an exceptional-point-based metasurface

Hong Liang, Kai Ming Lau, Wai Chun Wong, Shengwang Du, Wing Yim Tam, Jensen Li

Published Dec 21, 2021• 11 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We propose the concept of one-sided destructive quantum interference based on lossy metasurfaces. It corresponds to one-sided beam splitting with 50:25:0 in percentage ratio among the transmission and the two reflection efficiencies, which can be realized by a metasurface with unidirectional zero reflection (UZR) from a non-Hermitian exceptional point. When two identical photons enter both sides of the lossy metasurface, quantum interference only occurs for the single-photon output state towards one side but not the other due to UZR. Such one-sided quantum interference can be further made totally destructive. This effect along with UZR provides more degrees of freedom in quantum interference control and entangled states construction.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.104.063710

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Exceptional points facilitate peculiar dynamics in non-Hermitian systems. Yet, in photonics, they have mainly been studied in the classical realm. In this work, we reveal the behavior of two-photon quantum states in non-Hermitian systems across the exceptional point. We probe the lossy directional coupler with an indistinguishable two-photon input state and observe distinct changes of the quantum correlations at the output as the system undergoes spontaneous breaking of parity-time symmetry. Moreover, we demonstrate a switching in the quantum interference of photons directly at the exceptional point, where Hong-Ou-Mandel dips are transformed into peaks by a change of basis. These results show that quantum interference and exceptional points are linked in curious ways that can now be further explored.
Metamaterials are presented as a suitable platform to implement controllable constructive and destructive quantum interference. We investigate general lossy asymmetric and unbalanced 2x2 networks to realize nonclassical multiphoton interference effects. A design roadmap for achieving maximum programmability while setting a limit on the minimum value of quantum interference baseline counts is also reported. Specifically, we explore the capabilities of metasurfaces (2D alternates for metamaterials), by engineering the local interaction of light and matter at the subwavelength scale for realizing quantum interference, and conclude that metamaterials are a versatile platform for experiments on the foundations of quantum mechanics such as quantum coalescence effects.
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Unidirectional reflectionlessness is investigated in a waveguide quantum electrodynamics system that consists of a cavity and a [Formula: see text]-type three-level quantum dot coupled to a one-dimensional plasmonic waveguide. Analytical expressions of transmission and reflection coefficients are derived and discussed for both resonant and off-resonant couplings. By appropriately modulating the coupling strength, phase shift and Rabi frequency, unidirectional reflectionlessness is observed at the exceptional points (EPs). And unidirectional coherent perfect absorption is exhibited at the vicinity of the EP. These results might find applications in designing quantum devices of photons, such as optical switches and single-photon transistors.
For the requirement of quantum photonic integration in on-chip quantum information, we propose a scheme to realize quantum controlled-Z (CZ) gates through single gradient metasurface. Using its parallel beam-splitting feature, i.e., a series of connected beamsplitters with the same splitting ratio, one metasurface can support a polarization encoding CZ gate or path encoding CZ gate, several independent CZ gates, and cascade CZ gates. Taking advantage that the path of output state is locked by the polarization of input state, path encoding CZ gates can efficiently filter out bit-flip errors coming from beam-splitting processes. These CZ gates also have the potential to detect quantum errors and generate high-dimensional entanglement through multi-degree-of-freedom correlation on metasurfaces. By integrating quantum CZ gates into a single metasurface, our results open an avenue for high-density and multifunctional integration of quantum devices.