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

Physical Review A

Quantum multimode treatment of light scattering by an atom in a waveguide

William Konyk, Julio R. Gea-Banacloche

Published Jun 8, 2016• 24 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a full multimode treatment of the interaction of the quantized radiation field with a single two-level atom in a one-dimensional waveguide configuration. Starting with an incident pulse consisting of an arbitrary (finite) number of photons in a general initial state, we derive the equations of motion and a closed-form expression for the shape of the pulse after its interaction with the atom. We then specialize our results to the two-photon case where a number of analytical results can be derived, for both unidirectional and bidirectional systems. We study the effects of different pulse shapes, the manifestations of the entangled, so-called bound state of the two photons, single- and two-photon detection probabilities, and provide simple approximate results for the strong-coupling (or adiabatic, or long-pulse) regime. We also discuss the requirements for a true unidirectional setup, and the application of such a setup to photon sorting proposed by Witthaut, Lukin, and S\o{}rensen [Europhys. Lett. 97, 50007 (2012)].

DOI
10.1103/physreva.93.063807

Related papers

Quantum Rabi oscillations of a qubit strongly coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide

Ya. S. Greenberg, A. A. Shtygashev, O. A. Chuikin +2 more

We theoretically investigate quantum Rabi oscillations in a system consisting of a two-level atom (qubit) strongly coupled to a one-dimensional open waveguide. In contrast to conventional cavity quantum electrodynamics, the qubit interacts with a continuum of propagating modes, which gives rise to fundamentally different dynamical behavior. Within the rotating-wave approximation, we express the multimode Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian in terms of collective bosonic operators and show that the system possesses two integrals of motion, enabling an exact diagonalization of the Hamiltonian in the single-excitation subspace. We show that for a strongly interacting qubit-photon system, the dynamics are captured by a reduced two-level model. In this framework, each level is defined as the product of the atomic excited state and a specific field mode, which takes the form of a multiphoton Fock-like state. In this picture, the Rabi oscillations represent a collective phenomenon corresponding to oscillations between multiphoton states differing by a single photon. We then extend our analysis to multiphoton processes in which the initial field is a coherent state with a continuous spectrum. In this case, the Rabi frequency is shown to be sensitive to the spectral profile of the function that generates the coherent state.

quant-pharXiv:2608.16077•Aug 18, 2026•0 citations

Waveguide quantum electrodynamics

Vanessa Paulisch

Waveguide quantum electrodynamics (waveguide QED) describes the interaction between an electromagnetic field confined to a one-dimensional waveguide with atom-like quantum emitters close by. The characteristics of these kinds of systems are the possibility for strong and even ultrastrong interactions between the photonic and atom-like systems, and practically infinite range interactions between the emitters. These properties are valuable for a wide range of quantum optical applications, like quantum communication, quantum networks and quantum metrology. In this thesis we focus on two challenges in quantum optics, namely the generation and scattering of multiphoton states. In the first part of this thesis we demonstrate how waveguide QED systems can be exploited for the generation of multiphoton states, in particular of single-mode Fock states and superpositions thereof as well as multi-mode photonic states with metrological applications. The basic setup for this goal is an ensemble of quantum emitters coupled to a waveguide. In the so-called atomic mirror configuration symmetric Dicke states (or a superposition thereof) decay superradiantly to the ground state and emit the desired multiphoton state, which can be efficiently collected at the ends of the waveguide. We propose various protocols for the preparation of these Dicke states in waveguide QED systems and characterize the emitted photonic state. It turns out that in the low excitation regime, that is, if the number of photons is much lower than the ensemble size, the photonic state is emitted into a single mode. This single-mode structure is fundamental to current proposals for applications in quantum metrology with optical interferometers. Outside the low excitation regime, a multi-mode photonic state is generated, for which the metrological capabilities were unknown. We were able to show that these states still lead to quantum-enhanced optical interferometry. In the second part of this thesis we demonstrate how the scattering of multiphoton states on a single quantum emitter coupled to the waveguide can be used for testing the limits of the light-matter interaction strength. In particular, we investigate systems in the so-called ultrastrong coupling regime, where the coupling strength between the photonic and atom-like system is of the order of the emitter's transition energy. In this regime, many methods and approximations used in quantum optics, especially the Rotating Wave Approximation, break down and one needs to develop new analytical and numerical methods to study these systems. One approach is the so-called polaron Transformation. We show how this transformation can be applied for predicting the scattering amplitude of few photons scattering on the emitter. The comparison of these results with numerical simulations using matrix product states shows a good agreement for moderate coupling strengths. Both parts together show that waveguide QED systems are promising candidates for the generation of multiphoton states as well as for the investigation of fundamental limits probed through the scattering of multiphoton states. The latter also finds application in the implementation of photon-photon nonlinearities induced by the interaction with the quantum emitters. Apart from these and many other theoretical predictions, waveguide QED systems are also undergoing rapid progress in experiments. Therefore, we expect these kinds of systems to bring forth several advances in the field of quantum optics.

•Jan 1, 2018•1 citation

One- and two-photon scattering by two atoms in a waveguide

William Konyk, Julio R. Gea-Banacloche

We consider the interaction of one- and two-photon pulses in a waveguide with two two-level systems (TLSs) that are also able to interact directly either through an exchange- or a dipole-type interaction. We focus on the system's transport properties and show how the presence of a second TLS increases the control options, especially when direct interactions are also allowed. We also obtain, within a Markov (long-pulse) approximation, exact results for the nonlinear or entangled terms that arise in the two-photon case and discuss both their potential applications and ways to minimize their effects.

arXiv:1709.00034•Physical Review A•Dec 18, 2017•19 citations

Two-photon pulse scattering spectroscopy for arrays of two-level atoms, coupled to the waveguide

Ekaterina Vlasiuk, A. V. Poshakinskiy, Alexander N. Poddubny

We have theoretically studied the scattering of two-photon pulses from a spatially-separated array of two-level atoms coupled to the waveguide. A general analytical expression for the scattered pulse has been obtained. The contributions of various single-eigenstate and double-excited eigenstates of the array have been analyzed. We have also calculated the dependence of the time incident photons are stored in the array on its period and the number of atoms. The largest storage times correspond to the structures with the anti-Bragg period, equal to the quarter of the wavelength of light at the atom resonance frequency $λ/4$.

arXiv:2302.14167•Feb 27, 2023•0 citations

Phase-space distribution functions for photon propagation in waveguides coupled to a qubit

O. O. Chumak, E. V. Stolyarov

We investigate propagation of few-photon pulses in waveguides coupled to a two-level system by means of the method of distribution functions in coordinate-momentum space that provides a detailed description of photon systems. We find that the distribution function of the transmitted pulse can be negative for the nonclassical input (i.e., single-photon Fock state). This reveals the quasiprobability nature of photon distribution. Analytical expressions for photon densities in the momentum space as well as in the coordinate space are obtained for the mentioned single-photon Gaussian input. We also study the evolution of the multimode coherent-state input for an arbitrary photon number. Time-dependent differential equations describing average densities and fluctuations of outgoing photons are derived and solved. The influence of the number of input photons, pulse width, and radiation-atom interaction strength on the statistical properties of the fluctuations is investigated.

arXiv:1305.3813•Physical Review A•Jul 31, 2013•21 citations

Theoretical treatment of the interaction between two-level atoms and periodic waveguides

Xiaorun Zang, Philippe Lalanne

Light transport in periodic waveguides coupled to two-level atoms is investigated theoretically. By using optical Bloch equations and a photonic modal formalism, we derive a convenient semi-analytical expression for calculating the scattering matrix of single atoms trapped in periodic waveguides. The expression that holds for both photonic and plasmonic waveguides represents a basic building block toward the study of collective effects arising from photon-mediated multi-atom interactions in periodic waveguides.

arXiv:1506.01176•Optics Letters•Aug 10, 2015•7 citations
We present a full multimode treatment of the interaction of the quantized radiation field with a single two-level atom in a one-dimensional waveguide configuration. Starting with an incident pulse consisting of an arbitrary (finite) number of photons in a general initial state, we derive the equations of motion and a closed-form expression for the shape of the pulse after its interaction with the atom. We then specialize our results to the two-photon case where a number of analytical results can be derived, for both unidirectional and bidirectional systems. We study the effects of different pulse shapes, the manifestations of the entangled, so-called bound state of the two photons, single- and two-photon detection probabilities, and provide simple approximate results for the strong-coupling (or adiabatic, or long-pulse) regime. We also discuss the requirements for a true unidirectional setup, and the application of such a setup to photon sorting proposed by Witthaut, Lukin, and S\o{}rensen [Europhys. Lett. 97, 50007 (2012)].
We theoretically investigate quantum Rabi oscillations in a system consisting of a two-level atom (qubit) strongly coupled to a one-dimensional open waveguide. In contrast to conventional cavity quantum electrodynamics, the qubit interacts with a continuum of propagating modes, which gives rise to fundamentally different dynamical behavior. Within the rotating-wave approximation, we express the multimode Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian in terms of collective bosonic operators and show that the system possesses two integrals of motion, enabling an exact diagonalization of the Hamiltonian in the single-excitation subspace. We show that for a strongly interacting qubit-photon system, the dynamics are captured by a reduced two-level model. In this framework, each level is defined as the product of the atomic excited state and a specific field mode, which takes the form of a multiphoton Fock-like state. In this picture, the Rabi oscillations represent a collective phenomenon corresponding to oscillations between multiphoton states differing by a single photon. We then extend our analysis to multiphoton processes in which the initial field is a coherent state with a continuous spectrum. In this case, the Rabi frequency is shown to be sensitive to the spectral profile of the function that generates the coherent state.
Waveguide quantum electrodynamics (waveguide QED) describes the interaction between an electromagnetic field confined to a one-dimensional waveguide with atom-like quantum emitters close by. The characteristics of these kinds of systems are the possibility for strong and even ultrastrong interactions between the photonic and atom-like systems, and practically infinite range interactions between the emitters. These properties are valuable for a wide range of quantum optical applications, like quantum communication, quantum networks and quantum metrology. In this thesis we focus on two challenges in quantum optics, namely the generation and scattering of multiphoton states. In the first part of this thesis we demonstrate how waveguide QED systems can be exploited for the generation of multiphoton states, in particular of single-mode Fock states and superpositions thereof as well as multi-mode photonic states with metrological applications. The basic setup for this goal is an ensemble of quantum emitters coupled to a waveguide. In the so-called atomic mirror configuration symmetric Dicke states (or a superposition thereof) decay superradiantly to the ground state and emit the desired multiphoton state, which can be efficiently collected at the ends of the waveguide. We propose various protocols for the preparation of these Dicke states in waveguide QED systems and characterize the emitted photonic state. It turns out that in the low excitation regime, that is, if the number of photons is much lower than the ensemble size, the photonic state is emitted into a single mode. This single-mode structure is fundamental to current proposals for applications in quantum metrology with optical interferometers. Outside the low excitation regime, a multi-mode photonic state is generated, for which the metrological capabilities were unknown. We were able to show that these states still lead to quantum-enhanced optical interferometry. In the second part of this thesis we demonstrate how the scattering of multiphoton states on a single quantum emitter coupled to the waveguide can be used for testing the limits of the light-matter interaction strength. In particular, we investigate systems in the so-called ultrastrong coupling regime, where the coupling strength between the photonic and atom-like system is of the order of the emitter's transition energy. In this regime, many methods and approximations used in quantum optics, especially the Rotating Wave Approximation, break down and one needs to develop new analytical and numerical methods to study these systems. One approach is the so-called polaron Transformation. We show how this transformation can be applied for predicting the scattering amplitude of few photons scattering on the emitter. The comparison of these results with numerical simulations using matrix product states shows a good agreement for moderate coupling strengths. Both parts together show that waveguide QED systems are promising candidates for the generation of multiphoton states as well as for the investigation of fundamental limits probed through the scattering of multiphoton states. The latter also finds application in the implementation of photon-photon nonlinearities induced by the interaction with the quantum emitters. Apart from these and many other theoretical predictions, waveguide QED systems are also undergoing rapid progress in experiments. Therefore, we expect these kinds of systems to bring forth several advances in the field of quantum optics.
We consider the interaction of one- and two-photon pulses in a waveguide with two two-level systems (TLSs) that are also able to interact directly either through an exchange- or a dipole-type interaction. We focus on the system's transport properties and show how the presence of a second TLS increases the control options, especially when direct interactions are also allowed. We also obtain, within a Markov (long-pulse) approximation, exact results for the nonlinear or entangled terms that arise in the two-photon case and discuss both their potential applications and ways to minimize their effects.
We have theoretically studied the scattering of two-photon pulses from a spatially-separated array of two-level atoms coupled to the waveguide. A general analytical expression for the scattered pulse has been obtained. The contributions of various single-eigenstate and double-excited eigenstates of the array have been analyzed. We have also calculated the dependence of the time incident photons are stored in the array on its period and the number of atoms. The largest storage times correspond to the structures with the anti-Bragg period, equal to the quarter of the wavelength of light at the atom resonance frequency λ/4λ/4λ/4.
We investigate propagation of few-photon pulses in waveguides coupled to a two-level system by means of the method of distribution functions in coordinate-momentum space that provides a detailed description of photon systems. We find that the distribution function of the transmitted pulse can be negative for the nonclassical input (i.e., single-photon Fock state). This reveals the quasiprobability nature of photon distribution. Analytical expressions for photon densities in the momentum space as well as in the coordinate space are obtained for the mentioned single-photon Gaussian input. We also study the evolution of the multimode coherent-state input for an arbitrary photon number. Time-dependent differential equations describing average densities and fluctuations of outgoing photons are derived and solved. The influence of the number of input photons, pulse width, and radiation-atom interaction strength on the statistical properties of the fluctuations is investigated.
Light transport in periodic waveguides coupled to two-level atoms is investigated theoretically. By using optical Bloch equations and a photonic modal formalism, we derive a convenient semi-analytical expression for calculating the scattering matrix of single atoms trapped in periodic waveguides. The expression that holds for both photonic and plasmonic waveguides represents a basic building block toward the study of collective effects arising from photon-mediated multi-atom interactions in periodic waveguides.