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

International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics

Tunable light fluids using quantum atomic optical systems

Nuno A. Silva, João C. Costa, Miguel Gomes, Rúben Azinheira Alves, Ariel Guerreiro, Tiago D. Ferreira

Published Aug 22, 2017• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

The realization of tabletop optical analogue experiments of superfluidity relies on the engineering of suitable optical media, with tailored optical properties. This work shows how quantum atomic optical systems can be used to develop highly tunable optical media, with localized control of both linear and nonlinear susceptibility. Introducing the hydrodynamic description of light, the superfluidity of light in these atomic media is investigated through GPU-enhanced numerical simulations, with the numeric observation of the superfluidic signature of suppressed scattering through a defect.

DOI
10.1117/12.2272061

Related papers

Tunable light superfluids using 4-level quantum atomic optical systems

Ariel Guerreiro, José C. S. Costa, Nuno A. Silva +3 more

The realization of tabletop optical analogue experiments of superfluidity relies on the engineering of suitable optical media, with tailored optical properties. This work shows how quantum atomic optical systems can be used to develop highly tunable optical media, with localized control of both linear and nonlinear susceptibility. Introducing the hydrodynamic description of light, the superfluidity of light in these atomic media is investigated through GPU-enhanced numerical simulations, with the numeric observation of the superfluidic signature of suppressed scattering through a defect

Quantum Photonic Devices•Aug 29, 2017•0 citations

Fluids of light in atomic systems: from superfluidity to quantum simulations

Nuno A. Silva, Tiago D. Ferreira, Ariel Guerreiro

As quantum-driven processes and properties start to shape the future of technology, quantum simulations appear as a crucial piece of the puzzle, acting both as building blocks and catalysts for the improvement of the understanding of unique quantum features. In essence, they can be understood as a class of prototype experiments that allow a study of quantum properties in a controllable environment. In this context, quantum fluids of light are one of the strongest candidates for this role as coherent behavior is easily accessible and not hidden by detrimental thermal noise usually present in more common quantum systems. In this work we explore the underlying theory of quantum fluids of light in propagating geometries through the hydrodynamic interpretation of light, where photons behave as interacting particles in the presence of a nonlinear medium. Exploiting the highly controllable optical properties of atomic systems and their enhanced nonlinear properties related to quantum coherence phenomena, we discuss how they can be used to set a tunable platform for quantum simulations. As examples, we demonstrate a series of quantum features of this light fluid in the form of super fluidic-like behaviors, ranging from the more common and experimentally confirmed suppressed scattering, drag-force cancellation and Bogoliubov-like dispersion relation for the elementary excitations, to other interesting phenomena yet to be explored, such as the case of persistent currents.

International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics•Oct 3, 2019•0 citations

Paraxial quantum fluids light in hot atomic vapors

Murad Abuzarli, Tangui Aladjidi, Nicolas Cherroret +1 more

Hot atomic vapors are widely used in non-linear and quantum optics due to their large Kerr non-linearity. This non-linearity induces effective photon-photon interactions allowing light to behave as a fluid displaying quantum properties such as superfluidity. In this presentation, I will show that we have full control over the Hamiltonian that drives the system and that we can engineer an analogue simulator with light.

EPJ Web of Conferences•Jan 1, 2022•0 citations

Paraxial fluid of light in hot atomic vapors

Quentin Fontaine

Quantum fluids of light are the photonic counterpart of Bose gases. They currently attract increasing interest since they are versatile and highly tunable systems for probing many-body physics quantum phenomena, such as superfluidity. Superfluid flow of light has already been reported in microcavity exciton-polariton condensates but clear observation of this phenomenon in cavityless systems, that is, for propagating photon fluids, remains elusive. In this thesis, we study the hydrodynamical properties of light propagating close to resonance in hot rubidium vapors. Whereas photons in air are not interacting with each other, the situation is different in rubidium vapors, as an effective interaction between them, mediated by the atomic ensemble, appears. The light behaves therefore as a fluid flowing in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The primary purpose of this thesis was to show that light in those systems can behave as a superfluid. The first step toward the observation of superfluidity is to measure the dispersion relation of small amplitude density waves travelling onto the propagating photon fluid. I show that this dispersion exhibits a linear trend for small excitation wave-vectors, which is, according to the Landau criterion, a sufficient condition for guaranteeing superfluidity. I present then an all-optical defect experiment - where the photon fluid flows against an optically induced obstacle (namely, a local change of refractive index) - designed to measure the drag force cancellation at the fluid/superfluid threshold.

arXiv:2011.12126•Nov 24, 2020•0 citations

Experimental characterisation of nonlocal photon superfluids

David Vocke, Thomas Roger, Francesco Marino +4 more

Quantum gases of atoms and exciton-polaritons are nowadays a well established theoretical and experimental tool for fundamental studies of quantum many-body physics and suggest promising applications to quantum computing. Given their technological complexity, it is of paramount interest to devise other systems where such quantum many-body physics can be investigated at a lesser technological expense. Here we examine a relatively well-known system of laser light propagating through thermo-optical defocusing media: based on a hydrodynamical description of light as a quantum fluid of interacting photons, we investigate such systems as a valid, room temperature alternative to atomic or exciton-polariton condensates for studies of many-body physics. First, we show that by using a technique traditionally used in oceanography, it is possible to perform a direct measurement of the single-particle part of the dispersion relation of the elementary excitations on top of the photon fluid and to detect its global flow. Then, using a pump-and-probe set-up, we investigate the collective nature of low-wavevector sound modes of the fluid and observe signatures of superfluid behaviour.

arXiv:1501.06728•Jan 27, 2015•1 citation

Quantum fluids of light

Iacopo Carusotto, Cristiano Ciuti

This article reviews recent theoretical and experimental advances in the fundamental understanding and active control of quantum fluids of light in nonlinear optical systems. In the presence of effective photon-photon interactions induced by the optical nonlinearity of the medium, a many-photon system can behave collectively as a quantum fluid with a number of novel features stemming from its intrinsically nonequilibrium nature. A rich variety of recently observed photon hydrodynamical effects is presented, from the superfluid flow around a defect at low speeds, to the appearance of a Mach-Cherenkov cone in a supersonic flow, to the hydrodynamic formation of topological excitations such as quantized vortices and dark solitons at the surface of large impenetrable obstacles. While the review is mostly focused on a specific class of semiconductor systems that have been extensively studied in recent years (planar semiconductor microcavities in the strong light-matter coupling regime having cavity polaritons as elementary excitations), the very concept of quantum fluids of light applies to a broad spectrum of systems, ranging from bulk nonlinear crystals, to atomic clouds embedded in optical fibers and cavities, to photonic crystal cavities, to superconducting quantum circuits based on Josephson junctions. The conclusive part of the article is devoted to a review of the future perspectives in the direction of strongly correlated photon gases and of artificial gauge fields for photons. In particular, several mechanisms to obtain efficient photon blockade are presented, together with their application to the generation of novel quantum phases.

arXiv:1205.6500•Reviews of Modern Physics•Feb 21, 2013•2,073 citations
The realization of tabletop optical analogue experiments of superfluidity relies on the engineering of suitable optical media, with tailored optical properties. This work shows how quantum atomic optical systems can be used to develop highly tunable optical media, with localized control of both linear and nonlinear susceptibility. Introducing the hydrodynamic description of light, the superfluidity of light in these atomic media is investigated through GPU-enhanced numerical simulations, with the numeric observation of the superfluidic signature of suppressed scattering through a defect.
The realization of tabletop optical analogue experiments of superfluidity relies on the engineering of suitable optical media, with tailored optical properties. This work shows how quantum atomic optical systems can be used to develop highly tunable optical media, with localized control of both linear and nonlinear susceptibility. Introducing the hydrodynamic description of light, the superfluidity of light in these atomic media is investigated through GPU-enhanced numerical simulations, with the numeric observation of the superfluidic signature of suppressed scattering through a defect
As quantum-driven processes and properties start to shape the future of technology, quantum simulations appear as a crucial piece of the puzzle, acting both as building blocks and catalysts for the improvement of the understanding of unique quantum features. In essence, they can be understood as a class of prototype experiments that allow a study of quantum properties in a controllable environment. In this context, quantum fluids of light are one of the strongest candidates for this role as coherent behavior is easily accessible and not hidden by detrimental thermal noise usually present in more common quantum systems. In this work we explore the underlying theory of quantum fluids of light in propagating geometries through the hydrodynamic interpretation of light, where photons behave as interacting particles in the presence of a nonlinear medium. Exploiting the highly controllable optical properties of atomic systems and their enhanced nonlinear properties related to quantum coherence phenomena, we discuss how they can be used to set a tunable platform for quantum simulations. As examples, we demonstrate a series of quantum features of this light fluid in the form of super fluidic-like behaviors, ranging from the more common and experimentally confirmed suppressed scattering, drag-force cancellation and Bogoliubov-like dispersion relation for the elementary excitations, to other interesting phenomena yet to be explored, such as the case of persistent currents.
Quantum fluids of light are the photonic counterpart of Bose gases. They currently attract increasing interest since they are versatile and highly tunable systems for probing many-body physics quantum phenomena, such as superfluidity. Superfluid flow of light has already been reported in microcavity exciton-polariton condensates but clear observation of this phenomenon in cavityless systems, that is, for propagating photon fluids, remains elusive. In this thesis, we study the hydrodynamical properties of light propagating close to resonance in hot rubidium vapors. Whereas photons in air are not interacting with each other, the situation is different in rubidium vapors, as an effective interaction between them, mediated by the atomic ensemble, appears. The light behaves therefore as a fluid flowing in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The primary purpose of this thesis was to show that light in those systems can behave as a superfluid. The first step toward the observation of superfluidity is to measure the dispersion relation of small amplitude density waves travelling onto the propagating photon fluid. I show that this dispersion exhibits a linear trend for small excitation wave-vectors, which is, according to the Landau criterion, a sufficient condition for guaranteeing superfluidity. I present then an all-optical defect experiment - where the photon fluid flows against an optically induced obstacle (namely, a local change of refractive index) - designed to measure the drag force cancellation at the fluid/superfluid threshold.
Quantum gases of atoms and exciton-polaritons are nowadays a well established theoretical and experimental tool for fundamental studies of quantum many-body physics and suggest promising applications to quantum computing. Given their technological complexity, it is of paramount interest to devise other systems where such quantum many-body physics can be investigated at a lesser technological expense. Here we examine a relatively well-known system of laser light propagating through thermo-optical defocusing media: based on a hydrodynamical description of light as a quantum fluid of interacting photons, we investigate such systems as a valid, room temperature alternative to atomic or exciton-polariton condensates for studies of many-body physics. First, we show that by using a technique traditionally used in oceanography, it is possible to perform a direct measurement of the single-particle part of the dispersion relation of the elementary excitations on top of the photon fluid and to detect its global flow. Then, using a pump-and-probe set-up, we investigate the collective nature of low-wavevector sound modes of the fluid and observe signatures of superfluid behaviour.
This article reviews recent theoretical and experimental advances in the fundamental understanding and active control of quantum fluids of light in nonlinear optical systems. In the presence of effective photon-photon interactions induced by the optical nonlinearity of the medium, a many-photon system can behave collectively as a quantum fluid with a number of novel features stemming from its intrinsically nonequilibrium nature. A rich variety of recently observed photon hydrodynamical effects is presented, from the superfluid flow around a defect at low speeds, to the appearance of a Mach-Cherenkov cone in a supersonic flow, to the hydrodynamic formation of topological excitations such as quantized vortices and dark solitons at the surface of large impenetrable obstacles. While the review is mostly focused on a specific class of semiconductor systems that have been extensively studied in recent years (planar semiconductor microcavities in the strong light-matter coupling regime having cavity polaritons as elementary excitations), the very concept of quantum fluids of light applies to a broad spectrum of systems, ranging from bulk nonlinear crystals, to atomic clouds embedded in optical fibers and cavities, to photonic crystal cavities, to superconducting quantum circuits based on Josephson junctions. The conclusive part of the article is devoted to a review of the future perspectives in the direction of strongly correlated photon gases and of artificial gauge fields for photons. In particular, several mechanisms to obtain efficient photon blockade are presented, together with their application to the generation of novel quantum phases.