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

Reviews of Modern Physics

Colloquium : Quantum matter built from nanoscopic lattices of atoms and photons

Darrick E. Chang, James S. Douglas, Alejandro González-Tudela, Chen-Lung Hung, Harry J. Kimble

Published Aug 1, 2018• 508 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum optics has advanced tremendously over the past two decades by combining ultracold atoms with diverse optical systems. However, fundamental and technical issues place constraints that limit further advances. This Colloquium examines new paradigms for strong quantum interactions of matter and light by way of atoms and photons in nanoscopic dielectric lattices, including novel quantum phases of atoms, photons, and phonons.

DOI
10.1103/revmodphys.90.031002

Related papers

Quantum Matter built from Atoms and Photons in Nanoscopic Dielectric Lattices

Harry J. Kimble

New paradigms for optical physics emerge from the integration of ultra-cold atoms with photonic crystal waveguides. I will review progress and prospects in this emerging field at the interfaces of nano-photonics, atomic physics, and quantum optics.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2016•0 citations

Quantum matter built from nanoscopic lattices of atoms and photons

Harry J. Kimble

As reviewed in Reference [1], new paradigms for optical physics emerge with lattices of atoms trapped in one and two-dimensional photonic crystals. Such systems provide new tools for quantum phases of light and matter, scalable quantum networks, and quantum metrology.

The Rochester Conferences on Coherence and Quantum Optics and the Quantum Information and Measurement meeting•Jan 1, 2019•6 citations

Colloquium: Quantum optics of intense light--matter interaction

Philipp Stammer, Javier Rivera-Dean, P. Tzallas +2 more

Intense light-matter interaction largely relies on the use of high-power light sources, creating fields comparable to, or even stronger than, the field keeping the electrons bound in atoms. Under such conditions, the interaction induces highly nonlinear processes such as high harmonic generation, in which the low-frequency photons of a driving laser field are upconverted into higher-frequency photons. These processes have enabled numerous groundbreaking advances in atomic, molecular, and optical physics, and they form the foundation of attosecond science. Until recently, however, such processes were typically described using semi-classical approximations, since the quantum properties of the light field were not required to explain the observables. This has changed in the recent past. Ongoing theoretical and experimental advances show that fully quantized descriptions of intense light-matter interactions, which explicitly incorporate the quantum nature of the light field, open new avenues for both fundamental research and technological applications at the fully quantized level. These advances emerge from the convergence of quantum optics with strong-field physics and ultrafast science. Together, they have given rise to the field of quantum optics and quantum electrodynamics of strong-field processes.

arXiv:2510.19045•Oct 21, 2025•0 citations

Strong Atom-Light Interactions in Photonic Crystals

Jeff Kimble

New paradigms for optical physics emerge with lattices of atoms trapped in one and two-dimensional photonic crystals [1-4]. Exemplary experimental platforms include photonic crystal waveguides [5-7] and cavities [8, 9]. Owing to their small optical loss and tight field confinement, these nanoscale dielectric devices are capable of mediating long-range atom-atom interactions using photons propagating in their guided modes. In a complimentary fashion, long-range interactions between photons can be mediated by an underlying lattice of atoms. Such systems have the potential to provide new tools for scalable quantum networks, quantum phases of light and matter, and quantum metrology. However, bringing this future of atom nanophotonics to fruition requires the creation of an interdisciplinary toolkit for the control, manipulation, and interaction of atoms and photons with a complexity and scalability not currently possible. I will give an overview of the theoretical prospects for new physics and review experimental progress in this nascent field at the interfaces of nano-photonics, atomic physics, and quantum optics.

Bulletin of the American Physical Society•Jun 11, 2015•0 citations

Colloquium : Strong optical forces on atoms in multifrequency light

Harold J. Metcalf

One of the fundamental processes in physics is the interaction of matter with light. One learns early in quantum mechanics how electrons in a hydrogen atom absorb light with well-defined energy or frequency and make transitions between different quantized energy levels. However, the physical behavior is rather different when an atom interacts with multiple light beams with different frequencies because the optical forces change tremendously. This Colloquium discusses this and its consequences in atom cooling.

Reviews of Modern Physics•Oct 19, 2017•40 citations

A Review of Quantum Optics Systems

Dmitro Wijesekara

Quantum optics is the branch of physics that investigates the interaction of light with matter at the quantum level, where the discrete nature of photons and quantum states of atoms, molecules, and solid-state systems become dominant. Quantum optics systems provide the experimental and theoretical foundation for understanding nonclassical states of light, quantum coherence, entanglement, and measurement at the quantum limit. Over the past few decades, advances in laser technology, nonlinear optics, and precision measurement have transformed quantum optics from a fundamental discipline into a key enabler of quantum technologies, including quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum metrology. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the physical principles, system architectures, and experimental platforms of quantum optics. Emphasis is placed on light sources, atom–photon interaction systems, detection techniques, and emerging applications, along with current challenges and future research directions.

Advance Physics Letter•Feb 26, 2022•0 citations
Quantum optics has advanced tremendously over the past two decades by combining ultracold atoms with diverse optical systems. However, fundamental and technical issues place constraints that limit further advances. This Colloquium examines new paradigms for strong quantum interactions of matter and light by way of atoms and photons in nanoscopic dielectric lattices, including novel quantum phases of atoms, photons, and phonons.
Intense light-matter interaction largely relies on the use of high-power light sources, creating fields comparable to, or even stronger than, the field keeping the electrons bound in atoms. Under such conditions, the interaction induces highly nonlinear processes such as high harmonic generation, in which the low-frequency photons of a driving laser field are upconverted into higher-frequency photons. These processes have enabled numerous groundbreaking advances in atomic, molecular, and optical physics, and they form the foundation of attosecond science. Until recently, however, such processes were typically described using semi-classical approximations, since the quantum properties of the light field were not required to explain the observables. This has changed in the recent past. Ongoing theoretical and experimental advances show that fully quantized descriptions of intense light-matter interactions, which explicitly incorporate the quantum nature of the light field, open new avenues for both fundamental research and technological applications at the fully quantized level. These advances emerge from the convergence of quantum optics with strong-field physics and ultrafast science. Together, they have given rise to the field of quantum optics and quantum electrodynamics of strong-field processes.
New paradigms for optical physics emerge with lattices of atoms trapped in one and two-dimensional photonic crystals [1-4]. Exemplary experimental platforms include photonic crystal waveguides [5-7] and cavities [8, 9]. Owing to their small optical loss and tight field confinement, these nanoscale dielectric devices are capable of mediating long-range atom-atom interactions using photons propagating in their guided modes. In a complimentary fashion, long-range interactions between photons can be mediated by an underlying lattice of atoms. Such systems have the potential to provide new tools for scalable quantum networks, quantum phases of light and matter, and quantum metrology. However, bringing this future of atom nanophotonics to fruition requires the creation of an interdisciplinary toolkit for the control, manipulation, and interaction of atoms and photons with a complexity and scalability not currently possible. I will give an overview of the theoretical prospects for new physics and review experimental progress in this nascent field at the interfaces of nano-photonics, atomic physics, and quantum optics.
One of the fundamental processes in physics is the interaction of matter with light. One learns early in quantum mechanics how electrons in a hydrogen atom absorb light with well-defined energy or frequency and make transitions between different quantized energy levels. However, the physical behavior is rather different when an atom interacts with multiple light beams with different frequencies because the optical forces change tremendously. This Colloquium discusses this and its consequences in atom cooling.
Quantum optics is the branch of physics that investigates the interaction of light with matter at the quantum level, where the discrete nature of photons and quantum states of atoms, molecules, and solid-state systems become dominant. Quantum optics systems provide the experimental and theoretical foundation for understanding nonclassical states of light, quantum coherence, entanglement, and measurement at the quantum limit. Over the past few decades, advances in laser technology, nonlinear optics, and precision measurement have transformed quantum optics from a fundamental discipline into a key enabler of quantum technologies, including quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum metrology. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the physical principles, system architectures, and experimental platforms of quantum optics. Emphasis is placed on light sources, atom–photon interaction systems, detection techniques, and emerging applications, along with current challenges and future research directions.