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:2401.04949 · Physics Reports

Quantum amplification and simulation of strong and ultrastrong coupling of light and matter

Wei Qin, Anton Frisk Kockum, Carlos Sánchez Muñoz, Adam Miranowicz, Franco Nori

Published May 24, 2024• 110 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The interaction of light and matter at the single-photon level is of central importance in various fields of physics, including, e.g., condensed matter physics, astronomy, quantum optics, and quantum information. Amplification of such quantum light–matter interaction can be highly beneficial to, e.g., improve device performance, explore novel phenomena, and understand fundamental physics, and has therefore been a long-standing goal. Furthermore, simulation of light–matter interaction in the regime of ultrastrong coupling, where the interaction strength is comparable to the bare frequencies of the uncoupled systems, has also become a hot research topic, and considerable progress has been made both theoretically and experimentally in the past decade. In this review, we provide a detailed introduction of recent advances in amplification of quantum light–matter interaction and simulation of ultrastrong light–matter interaction, particularly in cavity and circuit quantum electrodynamics and in cavity optomechanics.

DOI
10.1016/j.physrep.2024.05.003

Related papers

Ultrastrong coupling between light and matter

Anton Frisk Kockum, Adam Miranowicz, Simone De Liberato +2 more

Ultrastrong coupling between light and matter has, in the past decade, transitioned from a theoretical idea to an experimental reality. It is a new regime of quantum light–matter interaction, which goes beyond weak and strong coupling to make the coupling strength comparable to the transition frequencies in the system. The achievement of weak and strong coupling has led to increased control of quantum systems and to applications such as lasers, quantum sensing, and quantum information processing. Here we review the theory of quantum systems with ultrastrong coupling, discussing entangled ground states with virtual excitations, new avenues for nonlinear optics, and connections to several important physical models. We also overview the multitude of experimental setups, including superconducting circuits, organic molecules, semiconductor polaritons, and optomechanical systems, that have now achieved ultrastrong coupling. We conclude by discussing the many potential applications that these achievements enable in physics and chemistry.

•Jan 1, 2019•435 citations

Ultrastrong coupling regimes of light-matter interaction

P. Forn-Díaz, Lucas Lamata, E. Rico +2 more

In the ultrastrong coupling regime, light and matter can no longer be distinguished: their coupling strengths are as large as their own energy scales. Even for simple two-level systems, this represents a new regime to explore within the quantum Rabi model. There has been considerable theoretical and experimental progress on the physics of these systems in recent years, as presented in this review. Key experimental results are discussed in a set of current platforms arising in quantum information research, including superconducting and semiconducting devices, and other hybrid quantum systems.

arXiv:1804.09275•Reviews of Modern Physics•Jun 7, 2019•1,091 citations

Quantum simulations of light-matter interactions in arbitrary coupling regimes

L. Lamata

Abstract Light-matter interactions are an established field that is experiencing a renaissance in recent years due to the introduction of exotic coupling regimes. These include the ultrastrong and deep-strong coupling regimes, where the coupling constant is smaller and of the order of the frequency of the light mode, or larger than this frequency, respectively. In the past few years, quantum simulations of light-matter interactions in all possible coupling regimes have been proposed and experimentally realized, in quantum platforms such as trapped ions, superconducting circuits, cold atoms, and quantum photonics. We review this fledgling field, illustrating the benefits and challenges of the quantum simulations of light-matter interactions with quantum technologies.

arXiv:2011.06836•Europhysics Letters (EPL)•Oct 1, 2020•2 citations

All-optical quantum simulation of ultrastrong optomechanics

Xian‐Li Yin, Yue‐Hui Zhou, Jie‐Qiao Liao

The observation of single-photon optomechanical effects is a desired task in cavity optomechanics. However, the realization of ultrastrong optomechanical interaction remains a big challenge. Here we present an all-optical scheme to simulate ultrastrong optomechanical coupling based on a Fredkin-type interaction, which consists of two exchange-coupled modes with the coupling strength depending on the photon number in another controller mode. This coupling enhancement is assisted by the displacement amplification according to the physical idea of the Bogoliubov approximation, which is realized by utilizing a strong driving to pump one of the two exchanging modes. Our numerical simulations demonstrate that the enhanced optomechanical coupling can enter the single-photon strong-coupling and even ultrastrong-coupling regimes. We also show the creation of macroscopic quantum superposed states and the implementation of a weak-to-strong transition for quantum measurement in this system. This work will pave the way to quantum simulation of single-photon optomechanical effects with current experimental platforms.

arXiv:2103.09462•Physical Review A•Jan 3, 2022•9 citations

Ultrastrong light-matter interaction in a multimode photonic crystal

Andrei Vrajitoarea, Ron Belyansky, Rex Lundgren +3 more

Harnessing the interaction between light and matter at the quantum level has been a central theme in atomic physics and quantum optics, with applications from quantum computation to quantum metrology. Combining complex interactions with photonic synthetic materials provides an opportunity to investigate novel quantum phases and phenomena, establishing interesting connections to condensed matter physics. Here we explore many-body phenomena with a single artificial atom coupled to the many discrete modes of a photonic crystal. This experiment reaches the ultrastrong light-matter coupling regime using the circuit quantum electrodynamics paradigm, by galvanically coupling a highly nonlinear fluxonium qubit to a tight-binding lattice of microwave resonators. In this regime, the transport of a single photon becomes a many-body problem, owing to the strong participation of multi-photon bound states arising from interactions that break particle number conservation. Exploiting the effective photon-photon interactions mediated by the qubit, the transport of multiple photons leads to complex multimode dynamics that can be employed for generating a continuous reservoir of strongly-correlated photons, an important resource for quantum networks. This work opens exciting prospects for exploring nonlinear quantum optics at the single-photon level and stabilizing entangled many-body phases of light.

arXiv:2209.14972•Sep 29, 2022•2 citations

Advances in Quantum Optomechanics: Controlling Light-Matter Interactions at the Quantum Level

Dr. Amara Ndlovu-Hartmann

The quantum level interaction between light and mechanical systems has become a cutting-edge research with broad implications for fundamental physics, quantum information processing, and sensing. Quantum optomechanical systems allow for the precise control and modulation of light-matter interactions by coupling photons with mechanical resonators. Novel approaches to the manipulation of light and matter quantum states have been made possible by recent developments in the fabrication of ultra-sensitive mechanical devices and the achievement of strong coupling regimes. the most recent advancements in quantum optomechanics, such as the realization of non-classical states of light and mechanical motion, the improvement of quantum coherence, and the cooling of mechanical systems to their quantum ground state. possible uses in quantum memory, extremely accurate measurement systems, and basic quantum mechanical experiments. In order to create more reliable and scalable quantum networks, the study concludes by outlining potential future avenues for combining quantum optomechanical systems with other quantum technologies.

Revista Infoacceso•Mar 20, 2026•0 citations
The interaction of light and matter at the single-photon level is of central importance in various fields of physics, including, e.g., condensed matter physics, astronomy, quantum optics, and quantum information. Amplification of such quantum light–matter interaction can be highly beneficial to, e.g., improve device performance, explore novel phenomena, and understand fundamental physics, and has therefore been a long-standing goal. Furthermore, simulation of light–matter interaction in the regime of ultrastrong coupling, where the interaction strength is comparable to the bare frequencies of the uncoupled systems, has also become a hot research topic, and considerable progress has been made both theoretically and experimentally in the past decade. In this review, we provide a detailed introduction of recent advances in amplification of quantum light–matter interaction and simulation of ultrastrong light–matter interaction, particularly in cavity and circuit quantum electrodynamics and in cavity optomechanics.
Ultrastrong coupling between light and matter has, in the past decade, transitioned from a theoretical idea to an experimental reality. It is a new regime of quantum light–matter interaction, which goes beyond weak and strong coupling to make the coupling strength comparable to the transition frequencies in the system. The achievement of weak and strong coupling has led to increased control of quantum systems and to applications such as lasers, quantum sensing, and quantum information processing. Here we review the theory of quantum systems with ultrastrong coupling, discussing entangled ground states with virtual excitations, new avenues for nonlinear optics, and connections to several important physical models. We also overview the multitude of experimental setups, including superconducting circuits, organic molecules, semiconductor polaritons, and optomechanical systems, that have now achieved ultrastrong coupling. We conclude by discussing the many potential applications that these achievements enable in physics and chemistry.
In the ultrastrong coupling regime, light and matter can no longer be distinguished: their coupling strengths are as large as their own energy scales. Even for simple two-level systems, this represents a new regime to explore within the quantum Rabi model. There has been considerable theoretical and experimental progress on the physics of these systems in recent years, as presented in this review. Key experimental results are discussed in a set of current platforms arising in quantum information research, including superconducting and semiconducting devices, and other hybrid quantum systems.
Abstract Light-matter interactions are an established field that is experiencing a renaissance in recent years due to the introduction of exotic coupling regimes. These include the ultrastrong and deep-strong coupling regimes, where the coupling constant is smaller and of the order of the frequency of the light mode, or larger than this frequency, respectively. In the past few years, quantum simulations of light-matter interactions in all possible coupling regimes have been proposed and experimentally realized, in quantum platforms such as trapped ions, superconducting circuits, cold atoms, and quantum photonics. We review this fledgling field, illustrating the benefits and challenges of the quantum simulations of light-matter interactions with quantum technologies.
The observation of single-photon optomechanical effects is a desired task in cavity optomechanics. However, the realization of ultrastrong optomechanical interaction remains a big challenge. Here we present an all-optical scheme to simulate ultrastrong optomechanical coupling based on a Fredkin-type interaction, which consists of two exchange-coupled modes with the coupling strength depending on the photon number in another controller mode. This coupling enhancement is assisted by the displacement amplification according to the physical idea of the Bogoliubov approximation, which is realized by utilizing a strong driving to pump one of the two exchanging modes. Our numerical simulations demonstrate that the enhanced optomechanical coupling can enter the single-photon strong-coupling and even ultrastrong-coupling regimes. We also show the creation of macroscopic quantum superposed states and the implementation of a weak-to-strong transition for quantum measurement in this system. This work will pave the way to quantum simulation of single-photon optomechanical effects with current experimental platforms.
Harnessing the interaction between light and matter at the quantum level has been a central theme in atomic physics and quantum optics, with applications from quantum computation to quantum metrology. Combining complex interactions with photonic synthetic materials provides an opportunity to investigate novel quantum phases and phenomena, establishing interesting connections to condensed matter physics. Here we explore many-body phenomena with a single artificial atom coupled to the many discrete modes of a photonic crystal. This experiment reaches the ultrastrong light-matter coupling regime using the circuit quantum electrodynamics paradigm, by galvanically coupling a highly nonlinear fluxonium qubit to a tight-binding lattice of microwave resonators. In this regime, the transport of a single photon becomes a many-body problem, owing to the strong participation of multi-photon bound states arising from interactions that break particle number conservation. Exploiting the effective photon-photon interactions mediated by the qubit, the transport of multiple photons leads to complex multimode dynamics that can be employed for generating a continuous reservoir of strongly-correlated photons, an important resource for quantum networks. This work opens exciting prospects for exploring nonlinear quantum optics at the single-photon level and stabilizing entangled many-body phases of light.
The quantum level interaction between light and mechanical systems has become a cutting-edge research with broad implications for fundamental physics, quantum information processing, and sensing. Quantum optomechanical systems allow for the precise control and modulation of light-matter interactions by coupling photons with mechanical resonators. Novel approaches to the manipulation of light and matter quantum states have been made possible by recent developments in the fabrication of ultra-sensitive mechanical devices and the achievement of strong coupling regimes. the most recent advancements in quantum optomechanics, such as the realization of non-classical states of light and mechanical motion, the improvement of quantum coherence, and the cooling of mechanical systems to their quantum ground state. possible uses in quantum memory, extremely accurate measurement systems, and basic quantum mechanical experiments. In order to create more reliable and scalable quantum networks, the study concludes by outlining potential future avenues for combining quantum optomechanical systems with other quantum technologies.