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Science

Irreversible splitting of light

Ian S. Osborne

Published Nov 14, 2019• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum Optics Prisms and dielectric beam splitters tend to be unitary and reversible optical elements, with the quantum properties of the photons largely irrelevant. Kurtscheid et al. introduce a method of irreversibly, but coherently, populating a split state with photons by thermalizing the photons into a low-energy ground state by repeated absorption-emission interaction with a fluorescent dye within a double-dimple optical cavity. Generation of such a coherent split state could be used as a precursor step to the quasi-continuous creation of many-body entangled states of light, which could be useful in applications in quantum communication, computing, and simulation. Science , this issue p. [894][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aay1334

DOI
10.1126/science.366.6467.833-d

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Quantum Optics
Prisms and dielectric beam splitters tend to be unitary and reversible optical elements, with the quantum properties of the photons largely irrelevant. Kurtscheid et al. introduce a method of irreversibly, but coherently, populating a split state with photons by thermalizing the photons into a low-energy ground state by repeated absorption-emission interaction with a fluorescent dye within a double-dimple optical cavity. Generation of such a coherent split state could be used as a precursor step to the quasi-continuous creation of many-body entangled states of light, which could be useful in applications in quantum communication, computing, and simulation.
Science , this issue p. 894
The quantum state of light plays a crucial role in a wide range of fields, from quantum information science to precision measurements. Whereas complex quantum states can be created for electrons in solid-state materials through mere cooling, optical manipulation and control builds on nonthermodynamic methods. Using an optical dye microcavity, we show that photon wave packets can be split through thermalization within a potential with two minima subject to tunnel coupling. At room temperature, photons condense into a quantum-coherent bifurcated ground state. Fringe signals upon recombination show the relative coherence between the two wells, demonstrating a working interferometer with the nonunitary thermodynamic beam splitter. Our energetically driven optical-state preparation method provides a route for exploring correlated and entangled optical many-body states.
The quantum state of light plays a crucial role in a wide range of fields, from quantum information science to precision measurements. Whereas complex quantum states can be created for electrons in solid-state materials through mere cooling, optical manipulation and control builds on nonthermodynamic methods. Using an optical dye microcavity, we show that photon wave packets can be split through thermalization within a potential with two minima subject to tunnel coupling. At room temperature, photons condense into a quantum-coherent bifurcated ground state. Fringe signals upon recombination show the relative coherence between the two wells, demonstrating a working interferometer with the nonunitary thermodynamic beam splitter. Our energetically driven optical-state preparation method provides a route for exploring correlated and entangled optical many-body states.
Beam splitters are key elements in optical and photonic systems and are therefore employed in both classical and quantum technologies. Depending on the intended application, these devices can split incident light according to its power, polarization state, or wavelength. In this work, we theoretically present a type of beam splitter capable of separating a light beam into its two-mode bright and dark components. We propose a prototype based on an optical cross-cavity system resonantly coupled to a $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$-type three-level atom. The dark component of the incoming light is transmitted because the antisymmetric collective mode of the cavity setup is decoupled from the atom. Meanwhile, the bright component is reflected due to a quantum interference, which arises from the high cooperativity between the atom and the symmetric collective mode of the cavity setup. Although the device requires only a two-level atom to operate, using a three-level atom allows the device to be turned on or off by controlling the atomic ground states. Our results pave the way for applications of beam splitters that leverage the collective properties of light. Manipulating and exploiting this additional degree of freedom can advance the field of quantum optics and contribute to the development of quantum technologies.
Quantum Optics Our textbook understanding of quantum systems tends to come from modeling these systems isolated from the environment. However, an emerging focus is understanding how many-body quantum systems behave when interacting with their surroundings and how they subsequently become dissipative, or non-Hermitian, systems. Ozturk et al. formed a quantum condensate of light by trapping photons in an optical cavity, a system that is naturally dissipative. By altering the trapping conditions, they demonstrated that the system provides a powerful platform with which to explore the complex dynamics and phase transitions occurring in dissipative quantum systems. Science , this issue p. [88][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.abe9869
Preparation of entangled states of photons are useful for quantum computing and communication. In this paper, we present a simplistic protocol of entanglement generation using beam splitters with suitable reflectivity. The photons in an initial state with fully classical probability distribution pass through an optical network, made up of sequential beam splitters and are prepared in maximally entangled states. We also present the detailed theoretical analysis of entangled state generation, for an arbitrary number of photons, fed through the input ports of the beam splitters with equal probability.
Beam splitter Compared with other fundamental experiments in physics, optical tests of quantum mechanics are often distinguished by their simplicity. Most quantum optical experiments do not require a whole industry - an optical table of equipment and a few people are often sufficient. Good ideas, good research problems are more important. “Research is to see what everybody has seen and to think what nobody has thought” (Jammer, 1989). A simple optical beam splitter, for instance, is already a nice device to demonstrate the quantum nature of light. Quite a number of puzzling quantum effects have been seen by splitting or recombining photons at a small cube of glass. Additionally, the beam splitter serves as a theoretical paradigm for other linear optical devices. Interferometers, semitransparent mirrors, dielectric interfaces, wave guide couplers, and polarizers are all described sufficiently well by a simple beam splitter model. The quantum effects of almost all passive optical devices can be understood assuming appropriate beam splitter models. (It's all done with mirrors.) Heisenberg picture An ideal beam splitter is a reversible, lossless device in which two incident beams may interfere to produce two outgoing beams. For instance, a dielectric interface inside a cube or plate of glass splits a light beam into two, see Fig. 5.1. We may reverse this situation by sending the two beams back to the cube, where they interfere constructively to restore the original beam.