Photon-number-limiting device for nonclassical light generation (6 pages)

Concita Sibilia, Jan Peřina

R. L. de Matos Filho, J. C. Retamal, Nicim Zagury

We present a scheme for the realization of a stationary source of nonclassical light, which approximates very well a continuous single-photon source. It consists of a single four-level atom trapped inside a high-finesse optical cavity and Raman coupled to a cavity mode. A selectivity mechanism, based on a field-dependent Stark shift of electronic levels, prevents the occupation of two or more photon states of the quantized mode being excited. The output light of such a source exhibits sub-Poissonian photon-number statistics and antibunching behavior.

G. S. Agarwal

J. C. Loredo, C. Antón, B. Reznychenko +12 more

Garrett D. Compton, Mark G. Kuzyk

We propose a theoretical method for the deterministic shaping of quantum light via photon number state selective interactions. Nonclassical states of light are an essential resource for high-precision optical techniques that rely on photon correlations and noise reshaping. Notable techniques include quantum enhanced interferometry, ghost imaging, and generating fault-tolerant codes for continuous variable optical quantum computing. We show that a class of nonlinear-optical resonators can transform many-photon wavefunctions to produce structured states of light with nonclassical noise statistics. The devices, based on parametric down conversion, utilize the Kerr effect to tune photon-number-dependent frequency matching, inducing photon-number-selective interactions. With a high-amplitude coherent pump, the number-selective interaction shapes the noise of a two-mode squeezed cavity state with minimal dephasing, illustrated with simulations. We specify the requisite material properties to build the device and highlight the remaining material degrees of freedom which offer flexible material design.

Ondřej Haderka, Jan Peřina, Jan Soubusta