Quantum Interference and Slow Light

L. Mandeļ

Bin Wu, John F. Hulbert, Katie Hurd +2 more

Hollow-core waveguides form the foundation of a new class of atomic spectroscopy chips that allows for large light-matter interactions at ultralow power levels [1-3]. We will review the development of a chip-scale platform for large quantum interference effects in hot rubidium vapor [4]. These include 44% optical transparency and a group index of 1,200. The concomitant reduction in the group velocity of light results in the largest slow light effects observed in waveguide-based environments to date.

Holger Schmidt, Dongliang Yin, Wenge Yang +4 more

We discuss a new integrated approach to realizing optical quantum interference effects such as electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), slow light, and highly efficient nonlinear processes on a semiconductor chip. An ensemble of alkali atoms represents one of the canonical systems that exhibit slow light and related phenomena. At the same time, it would be desirable to build slow-light and related devices on a semiconductor platform in order to move to practical applications. We review progress towards combining the large magnitude of quantum interference effects in alkali vapors with the convenience of integrated optics in the form of hollow-core antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs). We discuss the benefits and challenges of this integrated approach with special emphasis on nonlinear optics. We present strategies to optimize the optical waveguides and discuss the current status of building rubidium-filled optical waveguides on a chip. Recent results on optimization of waveguide loss and transfer of rubidium atoms through hollow microchannels on a chip are presented.

Rainer Kaltenbaek, B. Blauensteiner, Markus Aspelmeyer +1 more

Yu. M. Golubev, T. Yu. Golubeva, Yuri V. Rostovtsev +1 more

We have shown that quantum interference in a driven quasi-degenerate two-level atomic system can be controlled by an externally applied magnetic field. We demonstrate that the mechanism of optical control is based on quantum interference, which allows one to implement both electromagnetically induced transparency and electromagnetically induced absorption in one atomic system. Dispersion of such the medium allows one to control group velocity of propagation of light pulses be ultra-slow or superluminal via applied magnetic field.