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arXiv:2310.00590 · Physical Review A

Chiral phase modulation and a tunable broadband perfect absorber using a coherent cold atomic ensemble

Yixin Wang, Yan Zhang, Lei Du, Jin‐Hui Wu

Published Nov 21, 2023• 7 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We investigate the two-channel nonreciprocal scattering of a coherent atomic ensemble under the linear spatial Kramers-Kronig modulation, which has potential applications in chiral phase modulation and broadband coherent perfect or asymmetric absorbers that yet are typically unavailable in conventional continuous atomic media. In the regime of electromagnetically induced transparency, we observe the direction-dependent (chiral) phase modulation, which may enrich the burgeoning chiral quantum optics and can be used for implementing photonic filters, unidirectional amplifiers, and coherent asymmetric absorbers. By simplifying the stringent generation condition of coherent perfect absorption (CPA), we demonstrate the possibility of realizing two-channel CPA with broadband and sharp edges. Our proposal may be used to design and integrate some all-optical functional devices at extremely low power levels for quantum information processing and optical communication networks.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.108.053716

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We investigate the two-channel nonreciprocal scattering of a coherent atomic ensemble under the linear spatial Kramers-Kronig modulation, which has potential applications in chiral phase modulation and broadband coherent perfect or asymmetric absorbers that yet are typically unavailable in conventional continuous atomic media. In the regime of electromagnetically induced transparency, we observe the direction-dependent (chiral) phase modulation, which may enrich the burgeoning chiral quantum optics and can be used for implementing photonic filters, unidirectional amplifiers, and coherent asymmetric absorbers. By simplifying the stringent generation condition of coherent perfect absorption (CPA), we demonstrate the possibility of realizing two-channel CPA with broadband and sharp edges. Our proposal may be used to design and integrate some all-optical functional devices at extremely low power levels for quantum information processing and optical communication networks.
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Coherent perfect absorption provides a method of light-controlling-light and has practical applications in optical communications. Recently, a cavity-based nonlinear perfect photon absorption extends the coherent perfect absorber (CPA) beyond the linear regime. As nanowire-based system is a more competitive candidate for full-optical device, we introduce a nonlinear CPA in the single two-level atom–nanowires coupling system in this work. Nonlinear input–output relations are derived analytically, and three contributions of atomic saturation nonlinearity are explicit. The consociation of optical nonlinearity and destructive interference makes it feasible to fabricate a nonlinear monoatomic CPA. Our results also indicate that a nonlinear system may work linearly even when the incoming lights are not weak any more. Our findings show promising applications in full-optical devices.
This work is to investigate the single-photon scattering in a waveguide quantum electrodynamics system consisting of two dipole-coupled giant atoms, each interacting with a separate one-dimensional infinite waveguide at two distinct coupling points. Our primary objective is to establish a theoretical framework for manipulating photon propagation paths via quantum interference induced by multiple coupling points and local phase engineering. Unlike traditional chiral coupling schemes, an innovative method, in which the coupling phases are designed locally at each atom-waveguide interface, is used to achieve effective chiral coupling, thereby introducing novel quantum interference mechanisms. Using a real-space approach, we derive analytical expressions for four-port scattering amplitudes. We establish the conditions for achieving perfect directional routing to any output port and demonstrate the coherent control mechanisms implemented by geometric and local coupled phases. Continuous frequency tunability is primarily achieved through dipole-dipole interaction, and finely tuned through the accumulated phase and local coupling phases. Local phase differences precisely regulate port-specific probability distributions within the waveguides while preserving total routing efficiency. Furthermore, we elucidate the mechanisms of nonreciprocal transport and chiral scattering. The analysis reveals different governing principles: perfect nonreciprocity arises from the interplay of the accumulated phase, local coupling phases, photon-atom detuning, and dipole-dipole interaction. In contrast, perfect chiral scattering depends entirely on the accumulated phase and local coupling phases, and is independent of detuning. Notably, under the phase-matching conditions, the system achieves both perfect chiral and directional routing, and realizes frequency-selective path-asymmetric photon control. These findings provide a comprehensive framework for manipulating quantum interference in multi-atom waveguide systems, highlighting applications in quantum information processing, including tunable single-photon routers, isolators, and chiral quantum nodes. By implementing superconducting circuits, the local phase can be dynamically adjusted, thus proving the feasibility of the experiment.
Photon absorption and nonreciprocal photon transmission are studied in a rotating optical resonator coupled with an atomic ensemble. It is demonstrated that the perfect photon absorption is accompanied by optical bistability when the resonator is static. If the spinning detune is adjusted to some particular values, we find that the amplified unidirectional photon transmission can be realized. We have explicitly given the perfect photon absorption conditions and the maximal adjustable amplification rate. It is found that the coupling of the resonator and the atomic ensemble is necessary for perfect photon absorption, and the phase difference of the two input fields only affects the perfect absorption point. It gives new insight into the design of photon absorbers and optical switches.
We propose an ultrahigh-efficiency, broadband and multi-channel all-optical switching scheme based on broadband coherent perfect absorption (CPA) in a linear and nonlinear regimes in a cavity quantum electrodynamics (CQED) system. Two separate atomic transitions are excited simultaneously by two signal fields coupled from two ends of an optical cavity under the collective strong coupling condition. Three polariton eigenstates are produced which can be tuned freely by varying system parameters. The output field intensities of multiple channels are zero when the CPA criterion is satisfied. However, destructive quantum interference can be induced by a free-space weak control laser tuned to the multi-polariton excitation. As a consequence, the CQED system acts as a coherent perfect light absorber/transmitter as the control field is turned on/off the polariton resonances. In particular, the proposed scheme may be used to realize broadband multi-throw all-optical switching in the nonlinear excitation regime. The proposed scheme is useful for constructing all-optical routing, all-optical communication networks and various quantum logic elements.
We propose and analyze a scheme for tunable coherent perfect absorption (CPA) and near-perfect reflection (near CPR) in a three-level $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$-type atom-cavity system. With electromagnetically-induced-transparency-type interference induced by a coherent coupling laser, it provides a method of tunable near CPR at two-photon resonance. By virtue of different coupling strengths, CPA can be tuned from the linear regime to the nonlinear or bistable regime at a fixed input-field frequency. In addition, the CPA regime can be switched to the near-CPR regime with variable linear absorption or gain by an incoherent pump field. This work suggests a mechanism for manipulation on perfect absorption and reflection theoretically which can potentially be applied to logical gates and optical switches for coherent optical computing and communication.