arXiv:2608.02992 · Chinese Physics B

Rydberg-Mediated Nonlinear Quantum Optics

Yun-Hui He, Chang-Cheng Li, Xu Shen, Jing-Xu Bai, Xiao-Feng Shi, Lin Li, Yue-Chun Jiao, Jian-Ming Zhao

quant-phphysics.atom-phSubmitted Aug 4, 2026• Announced Aug 5, 2026• 0 citations

Abstract

Rydberg atoms have emerged as a versatile platform for quantum optics due to their exaggerated properties, particularly their strong long-range interactions, which enable a new regime of light-matter interaction. By mapping the interactions between Rydberg atoms onto photons, effective photon-photon interactions can be realized at the single-photon level, thereby overcoming the intrinsic weakness of conventional optical nonlinearities. In this review, we first introduce the fundamental physical principles of Rydberg-mediated quantum optics, and then discuss some key developments, including single-photon engineering, photonic quantum gates, contactless nonlinear optics, and quantum entanglement, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and prospects of this rapidly developing field.

DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ae9073

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