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Quantum Optics and Waveguide Quantum Electrodynamics in Superconducting Circuits

Emely Wiegand

Published Jan 1, 2021• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Waveguide circuit quantum electrodynamics (waveguide circuit QED) studies light-matter interaction with superconducting circuits in one dimension. In circuit QED, natural atoms are replaced by superconducting qubits consisting of a non-linear Josephson junction, resulting in an anharmonic energy spectrum just like real atoms. With superconducting qubits, it is possible to study quantum optical phenomena and reach new regimes hard to achieve with real atoms due to weak coupling to the electromagnetic field. The reduction to one dimension in waveguide QED increases the electromagnetic field's directionality, which results in reduced losses. In this thesis, we first introduce circuit quantisation, giving the basis for the next part, where we investigate a transmon, a charge-insensitive artificial atom, coupled to a semi-infinite transmission line. An atom coupled to a semi-infinite waveguide is referred to as an atom in front of a mirror and is the subject of all appended papers. We proceed by summarising Paper I and III's main results: in Paper I, we investigate the spontaneous emission of a transmon coupled to a semi-infinite transmission line, where we take time-delay effects into account. We find that the system dynamics strongly depend on the coupling strength to the transmission line and the atom's position with respect to the electromagnetic field, leading to the Purcell effect or the convergence to a dark state with finite excitation probability. In the high-impedance regime, which we investigate in Paper III, the properties of the transmon coupled to the high-impedance transmission line change drastically. It becomes highly reflective and creates its own cavity with the mirror, resulting in the emergence of cavity modes and vacuum Rabi oscillations in the spontaneous emission dynamics. In the next chapter of the thesis, we demonstrate how to quantise an electromagnetic field and derive a light-matter interaction Hamiltonian within dipole approximation. We then give an introduction to open quantum systems and derive the quantum-optical master equation in Lindblad form. Furthermore, we introduce the dressed state picture, where the interaction of light and matter is so strong that the individual energy levels of light and matter are no longer separable. Both the quantum optical master equation and the dressed state picture are relevant in Paper II and IV. In Paper II, an experimental collaboration, we perform several experiments to characterise and discriminate different decay rates of a superconducting qubit coupled to the end of a transmission line. One experiment measured the atomic fluorescence spectral density, which shows an asymmetry for off-resonant driving, resulting from pure dephasing: an effect that we explain in more detail in this thesis and Paper II. In Paper IV, we theoretically investigate amplification mechanisms realised by different set-ups of an atom coupled to a semi-infinite waveguide. In the considered systems, the amplification of a probe field happens either due to population inversion between the pure states or dressed states or multi-photon processes. We find that compared to an open waveguide, we can achieve a higher gain in the amplification with a semi-infinite waveguide.

Related papers

Waveguide Quantum Electrodynamics in Superconducting Circuits

Emely Wiegand

In the last two decades, the field of circuit quantum electrodynamics, that studies the interaction between superconducting qubits and 1-dimensional waveguides, has been of great interest. It provides a great potential to build quantum devices, which are important for quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum information. The restriction to one dimension decreases losses and information can be transferred efficiently. Superconducting qubits are artificial atoms that consist of a non-linear Josephson element and work in the microwave regime. These superconducting qubits make on-chip tunable quantum experiments possible.In the appended paper, we investigate the spontaneous emission of an initially excited artificial atom (superconducting transmon qubit) which is capacitively coupled to a semi-infinite transmission line (atom in front of a mirror). We can choose the distance to the mirror arbitrarily so the interaction with the reflected field is delayed if the qubit is far away from the mirror and we have to take time-delay effects into account. We derive equations of motion for the transmon by circuit quantization and solve them semi-classically. In this thesis we give an introduction to circuit quantization, transmission lines and superconducting qubits. Then we discuss the methods and results of the appended paper which are based on the topics introduced.

•Jan 1, 2019•0 citations

The Interplay of Superconducting Quantum Circuits and Propagating Microwave States

Jan Goetz

PhD Thesis: Superconducting circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED) has developed into a powerful platform for studying the interaction between matter and different states of light. In this context, superconducting quantum bits (qubits) act as artificial atoms interacting with quantized modes of the electromagnetic field. The field can be trapped in superconducting microwave resonators or propagating in transmission lines. In this thesis, we particularly study circuit QED systems where microwave fields are coupled with superconducting flux and transmon qubits. We optimize the coherence properties of the resonators, by analyzing loss mechanisms at excitation powers of approximately one photon on average. We find that two-level fluctuators associated with oxide layers at substrate and metal surfaces and metal-metal interfaces represent the predominant loss channel. Furthermore, we show how broadband thermal photon fields influence the relaxation and dephasing properties of a superconducting transmon qubit. To this end, we study several second-order loss channels of the transmon qubit and find that the broadband fields introduce a larger decay rate than expected from the Purcell filter defined by the resonator. Additionally, we show that qubit dephasing at the flux-insensitive point as well as low-frequency parameter fluctuations can be enhanced by thermal fields. Finally, we study how artificial atoms react to changes in inherent properties of the light fields. We perform a detailed analysis of the photon statistics of thermal fields using their relation to the qubits coherence properties. We quantitatively recover the expected $n^{2}\,{+}\,n$-law for the photon number variance and confirm this result by direct correlation measurements. We then show a novel technique for the in-situ conversion of the interaction parity in light-matter interaction. To this end, we couple spatially controlled microwave fields to a flux qubit with two degrees of freedom.

•Jun 23, 2016•0 citations

Waveguide quantum electrodynamics with superconducting qubits

Bharath Kannan

Experiments utilizing quantum optics have progressed rapidly in last few decades, particularly in the context of quantum computation, simulation, and communication. Early work in this field focused on implementations of cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED), where atoms, either natural or artificial, are strongly coupled to the confined photonic modes of cavities. However, in recent years, achieving strong coupling between atoms and itinerant photons has also gained significant interest for its applications in quantum networking. To this end, many atomic platforms are attempting to realize the waveguide QED architecture: atoms that interact with the continua of propagating photonic modes within a waveguide. In this thesis, we realize the strong-coupling regime of a waveguide QED architecture by coupling superconducting artificial atoms, typically operated as qubits, to one-dimensional transmission lines. We first demonstrate that superconducting qubits in a waveguide QED system can be used as high-quality quantum emitters. We then leverage the quantum interference between the simultaneous emission from multiple qubits in order to generate non-classical, spatially entangled, and directional itinerant microwave photons. These types of photons are particularly useful for remote entanglement and quantum communication protocols. Finally, we demonstrate that superconducting qubits can be engineered to enter novel regimes of light-matter interactions that are difficult, or even impossible, to achieve in other atomic platforms. In particular, we realize the giant-atom regime of waveguide QED, where the atom can no longer be treated as a point-like object. We use our giant atoms to implement tunable atom-waveguide couplings, as well as decoherence-free waveguide-mediated interactions between multiple atoms.

•Jan 1, 2018•0 citations

Microwave Quantum Optics using Giant Artificial Atoms and Parametrically Coupled Superconducting Cavities

Rao Ananthapadmanabha, Vadiraj Manjunath

Artificially engineered atoms, built using superconducting electrical circuits, have had a broad impact on the field of quantum information and quantum computing. Based on the Josephson effect, superconducting qubits have provided a robust platform for engineering light-matter interactions at the single-photon level. The ability to precisely control and manipulate single photons using superconducting qubits and cavities, a field now popularly known as circuit quantum electrodynamics (circuit QED), has enabled new and novel regimes in quantum physics, which previously remained inaccessible. For instance, the coupling between individual photons and artificial atoms have been shown to reach the ultrastrong and deep-strong regimes, a feat which is difficult to achieve with natural atoms. The superconducting circuit platform is now a promising contender for building large-scale quantum processors, attracting large investments from academic, industry and government players. \n \nThis thesis uses superconducting circuits to engineer photon interactions in two separate studies. The first is aimed at studying the physics of ``giant" artificial-atoms. The second study explores the route towards building a quantum heat engine using two parametrically-coupled, superconducting microwave cavities. We review the theoretical ideas and concepts which motivate our work, along with discussions of the design methodology, simulations, fabrication, measurement setup and the experimental findings. \n \nIn the first study, we explore a giant artificial atom, formed from a transmon qubit, which is coupled to propagating microwaves at multiple points along an open transmission line. The multipoint coupling nature of the transmon allows its radiated field to interfere with itself leading to some striking ``giant" atom effects. For instance, we observe strong frequency dependent couplings of the transmon's transition levels to its electromagnetic environment, a feature which is not observed with ordinary artificial atoms. We measure large on/off ratios, as high as $380$, for the coupling rate of the $\\ket{0}-\\ket{1}$ transition. Furthermore, we show that we can enhance or suppress the coupling rate of the $\\ket{1}-\\ket{2}$ transition relative to the $\\ket{0}-\\ket{1}$ transition, by more than a factor of $200$. The relative modulation of the coupling rates was exploited to engineer a metastable state in the giant transmon and demonstrate electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT), a typical signature of a lambda system. Our results show that we can transform the ladder structure of an ordinary transmon into a more interesting lambda system using a giant transmon, thereby paving the way for exploring new possibilities to study three-level physics in a waveguide-QED setting. \n \nExtending giant atom physics to multiple giant atoms, we then explore a device with two giant artificial atoms connected in a braided configuration to a transmission line. The braided topology of the qubits, offers an interesting regime where the qubits can interact with each other in a decoherence-free environment, where the interaction is mediated by virtual photons in the transmission line. We probe the resonant behavior of the qubits at two different frequency bias points, where we observe qualitatively different scattering behavior. Furthermore, when probing for the Autler-Townes Splitting (ATS), multiple resonances are observed for both resonant and off-resonant cases instead of the familiar doublet in the ATS spectroscopy. This comes as a surprise as the frequency-level spacings in both qubits are nominally identical. We believe these features could be an indication of a novel resonant interaction between the qubits facilitated by the braided topology. An effort to understand this theoretically is underway. \n \nFor our second study, we explore a system with two parametrically-coupled superconducting resonators, which implements an optomechanical-like interaction in an all-electrical network. The nonlinear nature of this interaction is mediated by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), where the current in one resonator couples to the photon number in the other resonator. We propose to use this system to build a ``photonic piston" engine in the quantum regime. We motivate the feasibility of the proposal by reviewing key theoretical results which demonstrate an Otto-cycle by appropriately driving the system with noise. Our experimental findings demonstrate the crucial nonlinear coupling that is required for the engine to work. We also show that we can increase the coupling strength between the resonators depending on the chosen flux operating point.

•Aug 28, 2020•0 citations

Semiclassical analysis of dark-state transient dynamics in waveguide circuit QED

Emely Wiegand, Benjamin Rousseaux, Göran Johansson

The interaction between superconducting qubits and one-dimensional microwave transmission lines has been studied experimentally and theoretically in the past two decades. In this work, we investigate the spontaneous emission of an initially excited artificial atom which is capacitively coupled to a semi-infinite transmission line, shorted at one end. This configuration can be viewed as an atom in front of a mirror. The distance between the atom and the mirror introduces a time delay in the system, which we take into account fully. When the delay time equals an integer number of atom oscillation periods, the atom converges into a dark state after an initial decay period. The dark state is an effect of destructive interference between the reflected part of the field and the part directly emitted by the atom. Based on circuit quantization, we derive linearized equations of motion for the system and use these for a semiclassical analysis of the transient dynamics. We also make a rigorous connection to the quantum optics system-reservoir approach and compare these two methods to describe the dynamics. We find that both approaches are equivalent for transmission lines with a low characteristic impedance, while they differ when this impedance is higher than the typical impedance of the superconducting artificial atom.

arXiv:1909.05210•Physical Review A•Mar 2, 2020•8 citations

Quantum Electro- and Acoustodynamics in Waveguides

Andreas Ask

The study of light-matter interaction in superconducting quantum circuits has seen remarkable progress over the last $20$ years. By engineering artificial atoms, novel quantum phenomena have been demonstrated, and old ideas have come into a new light. Beyond their application to basic science, the prospect of implementing large-scale quantum information processing with superconducting circuits has fueled a rapid development of surrounding technologies, with ever-increasing control over their behavior as a result. The field's success stems primarily from the flexible design and strong non-linearity of the artificial atom, whose coherent interaction with both electrical and mechanical degrees of freedom has opened many doors for science. This thesis deals with the interaction between artificial atoms and quantum fields in one-dimensional waveguides. The waveguide represents a one-dimensional environment for the atom, which we use to study the properties of open quantum systems. All quantum systems are, in fact, open, and interactions between the system and its environment lead inevitably to a loss of energy and quantum coherence. A continuous loss of information into the environment is called a Markovian process. The work contained in this thesis indicates that deviations from a Markovian process can be detected in the steady state of driven systems. This could simplify the detection of non-Markovianity in open quantum systems, as no information about the system's transient dynamics would be necessary.Specifically, this thesis considers both electromagnetic fields in microwave transmission lines and acoustic fields in the form of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) traveling on the surface of solids. The recent realization of artificial atoms interacting with acoustic waves has opened up a new research field called quantum acoustics. We have built a model of the interaction between atoms and SAWs that predicts the existence of a new regime where the atom forms its own cavity. Additionally, we have considered synthesizing electromagnetically induced transparency, a quantum optics phenomena in opaque media where the absorption of photons is canceled, in waveguides using multiple closely spaced two-level systems. Some of the work in this thesis represents experimental work done in collaboration. In the first experiment, we studied the routing of acoustic waves at the quantum level. In the other experiment, we demonstrated electromagnetically induced transparency by creating an effective $\\Lambda$ system using a giant artificial atom. This thesis reviews the numerical techniques used to model these experiments.

•Jan 1, 2021•0 citations
Waveguide circuit quantum electrodynamics (waveguide circuit QED) studies light-matter interaction with superconducting circuits in one dimension. In circuit QED, natural atoms are replaced by superconducting qubits consisting of a non-linear Josephson junction, resulting in an anharmonic energy spectrum just like real atoms. With superconducting qubits, it is possible to study quantum optical phenomena and reach new regimes hard to achieve with real atoms due to weak coupling to the electromagnetic field. The reduction to one dimension in waveguide QED increases the electromagnetic field's directionality, which results in reduced losses. In this thesis, we first introduce circuit quantisation, giving the basis for the next part, where we investigate a transmon, a charge-insensitive artificial atom, coupled to a semi-infinite transmission line. An atom coupled to a semi-infinite waveguide is referred to as an atom in front of a mirror and is the subject of all appended papers. We proceed by summarising Paper I and III's main results: in Paper I, we investigate the spontaneous emission of a transmon coupled to a semi-infinite transmission line, where we take time-delay effects into account. We find that the system dynamics strongly depend on the coupling strength to the transmission line and the atom's position with respect to the electromagnetic field, leading to the Purcell effect or the convergence to a dark state with finite excitation probability. In the high-impedance regime, which we investigate in Paper III, the properties of the transmon coupled to the high-impedance transmission line change drastically. It becomes highly reflective and creates its own cavity with the mirror, resulting in the emergence of cavity modes and vacuum Rabi oscillations in the spontaneous emission dynamics. In the next chapter of the thesis, we demonstrate how to quantise an electromagnetic field and derive a light-matter interaction Hamiltonian within dipole approximation. We then give an introduction to open quantum systems and derive the quantum-optical master equation in Lindblad form. Furthermore, we introduce the dressed state picture, where the interaction of light and matter is so strong that the individual energy levels of light and matter are no longer separable. Both the quantum optical master equation and the dressed state picture are relevant in Paper II and IV. In Paper II, an experimental collaboration, we perform several experiments to characterise and discriminate different decay rates of a superconducting qubit coupled to the end of a transmission line. One experiment measured the atomic fluorescence spectral density, which shows an asymmetry for off-resonant driving, resulting from pure dephasing: an effect that we explain in more detail in this thesis and Paper II. In Paper IV, we theoretically investigate amplification mechanisms realised by different set-ups of an atom coupled to a semi-infinite waveguide. In the considered systems, the amplification of a probe field happens either due to population inversion between the pure states or dressed states or multi-photon processes. We find that compared to an open waveguide, we can achieve a higher gain in the amplification with a semi-infinite waveguide.
In the last two decades, the field of circuit quantum electrodynamics, that studies the interaction between superconducting qubits and 1-dimensional waveguides, has been of great interest. It provides a great potential to build quantum devices, which are important for quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum information. The restriction to one dimension decreases losses and information can be transferred efficiently. Superconducting qubits are artificial atoms that consist of a non-linear Josephson element and work in the microwave regime. These superconducting qubits make on-chip tunable quantum experiments possible.In the appended paper, we investigate the spontaneous emission of an initially excited artificial atom (superconducting transmon qubit) which is capacitively coupled to a semi-infinite transmission line (atom in front of a mirror). We can choose the distance to the mirror arbitrarily so the interaction with the reflected field is delayed if the qubit is far away from the mirror and we have to take time-delay effects into account. We derive equations of motion for the transmon by circuit quantization and solve them semi-classically. In this thesis we give an introduction to circuit quantization, transmission lines and superconducting qubits. Then we discuss the methods and results of the appended paper which are based on the topics introduced.
PhD Thesis: Superconducting circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED) has developed into a powerful platform for studying the interaction between matter and different states of light. In this context, superconducting quantum bits (qubits) act as artificial atoms interacting with quantized modes of the electromagnetic field. The field can be trapped in superconducting microwave resonators or propagating in transmission lines. In this thesis, we particularly study circuit QED systems where microwave fields are coupled with superconducting flux and transmon qubits. We optimize the coherence properties of the resonators, by analyzing loss mechanisms at excitation powers of approximately one photon on average. We find that two-level fluctuators associated with oxide layers at substrate and metal surfaces and metal-metal interfaces represent the predominant loss channel. Furthermore, we show how broadband thermal photon fields influence the relaxation and dephasing properties of a superconducting transmon qubit. To this end, we study several second-order loss channels of the transmon qubit and find that the broadband fields introduce a larger decay rate than expected from the Purcell filter defined by the resonator. Additionally, we show that qubit dephasing at the flux-insensitive point as well as low-frequency parameter fluctuations can be enhanced by thermal fields. Finally, we study how artificial atoms react to changes in inherent properties of the light fields. We perform a detailed analysis of the photon statistics of thermal fields using their relation to the qubits coherence properties. We quantitatively recover the expected n2 + nn^{2}\,{+}\,nn2+n-law for the photon number variance and confirm this result by direct correlation measurements. We then show a novel technique for the in-situ conversion of the interaction parity in light-matter interaction. To this end, we couple spatially controlled microwave fields to a flux qubit with two degrees of freedom.
Experiments utilizing quantum optics have progressed rapidly in last few decades, particularly in the context of quantum computation, simulation, and communication. Early work in this field focused on implementations of cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED), where atoms, either natural or artificial, are strongly coupled to the confined photonic modes of cavities. However, in recent years, achieving strong coupling between atoms and itinerant photons has also gained significant interest for its applications in quantum networking. To this end, many atomic platforms are attempting to realize the waveguide QED architecture: atoms that interact with the continua of propagating photonic modes within a waveguide. In this thesis, we realize the strong-coupling regime of a waveguide QED architecture by coupling superconducting artificial atoms, typically operated as qubits, to one-dimensional transmission lines. We first demonstrate that superconducting qubits in a waveguide QED system can be used as high-quality quantum emitters. We then leverage the quantum interference between the simultaneous emission from multiple qubits in order to generate non-classical, spatially entangled, and directional itinerant microwave photons. These types of photons are particularly useful for remote entanglement and quantum communication protocols. Finally, we demonstrate that superconducting qubits can be engineered to enter novel regimes of light-matter interactions that are difficult, or even impossible, to achieve in other atomic platforms. In particular, we realize the giant-atom regime of waveguide QED, where the atom can no longer be treated as a point-like object. We use our giant atoms to implement tunable atom-waveguide couplings, as well as decoherence-free waveguide-mediated interactions between multiple atoms.
Artificially engineered atoms, built using superconducting electrical circuits, have had a broad impact on the field of quantum information and quantum computing. Based on the Josephson effect, superconducting qubits have provided a robust platform for engineering light-matter interactions at the single-photon level. The ability to precisely control and manipulate single photons using superconducting qubits and cavities, a field now popularly known as circuit quantum electrodynamics (circuit QED), has enabled new and novel regimes in quantum physics, which previously remained inaccessible. For instance, the coupling between individual photons and artificial atoms have been shown to reach the ultrastrong and deep-strong regimes, a feat which is difficult to achieve with natural atoms. The superconducting circuit platform is now a promising contender for building large-scale quantum processors, attracting large investments from academic, industry and government players. \n \nThis thesis uses superconducting circuits to engineer photon interactions in two separate studies. The first is aimed at studying the physics of ``giant" artificial-atoms. The second study explores the route towards building a quantum heat engine using two parametrically-coupled, superconducting microwave cavities. We review the theoretical ideas and concepts which motivate our work, along with discussions of the design methodology, simulations, fabrication, measurement setup and the experimental findings. \n \nIn the first study, we explore a giant artificial atom, formed from a transmon qubit, which is coupled to propagating microwaves at multiple points along an open transmission line. The multipoint coupling nature of the transmon allows its radiated field to interfere with itself leading to some striking ``giant" atom effects. For instance, we observe strong frequency dependent couplings of the transmon's transition levels to its electromagnetic environment, a feature which is not observed with ordinary artificial atoms. We measure large on/off ratios, as high as 380380380, for the coupling rate of the ket0−ket1\\ket{0}-\\ket{1}ket0−ket1 transition. Furthermore, we show that we can enhance or suppress the coupling rate of the ket1−ket2\\ket{1}-\\ket{2}ket1−ket2 transition relative to the ket0−ket1\\ket{0}-\\ket{1}ket0−ket1 transition, by more than a factor of 200200200. The relative modulation of the coupling rates was exploited to engineer a metastable state in the giant transmon and demonstrate electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT), a typical signature of a lambda system. Our results show that we can transform the ladder structure of an ordinary transmon into a more interesting lambda system using a giant transmon, thereby paving the way for exploring new possibilities to study three-level physics in a waveguide-QED setting. \n \nExtending giant atom physics to multiple giant atoms, we then explore a device with two giant artificial atoms connected in a braided configuration to a transmission line. The braided topology of the qubits, offers an interesting regime where the qubits can interact with each other in a decoherence-free environment, where the interaction is mediated by virtual photons in the transmission line. We probe the resonant behavior of the qubits at two different frequency bias points, where we observe qualitatively different scattering behavior. Furthermore, when probing for the Autler-Townes Splitting (ATS), multiple resonances are observed for both resonant and off-resonant cases instead of the familiar doublet in the ATS spectroscopy. This comes as a surprise as the frequency-level spacings in both qubits are nominally identical. We believe these features could be an indication of a novel resonant interaction between the qubits facilitated by the braided topology. An effort to understand this theoretically is underway. \n \nFor our second study, we explore a system with two parametrically-coupled superconducting resonators, which implements an optomechanical-like interaction in an all-electrical network. The nonlinear nature of this interaction is mediated by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), where the current in one resonator couples to the photon number in the other resonator. We propose to use this system to build a ``photonic piston" engine in the quantum regime. We motivate the feasibility of the proposal by reviewing key theoretical results which demonstrate an Otto-cycle by appropriately driving the system with noise. Our experimental findings demonstrate the crucial nonlinear coupling that is required for the engine to work. We also show that we can increase the coupling strength between the resonators depending on the chosen flux operating point.
The interaction between superconducting qubits and one-dimensional microwave transmission lines has been studied experimentally and theoretically in the past two decades. In this work, we investigate the spontaneous emission of an initially excited artificial atom which is capacitively coupled to a semi-infinite transmission line, shorted at one end. This configuration can be viewed as an atom in front of a mirror. The distance between the atom and the mirror introduces a time delay in the system, which we take into account fully. When the delay time equals an integer number of atom oscillation periods, the atom converges into a dark state after an initial decay period. The dark state is an effect of destructive interference between the reflected part of the field and the part directly emitted by the atom. Based on circuit quantization, we derive linearized equations of motion for the system and use these for a semiclassical analysis of the transient dynamics. We also make a rigorous connection to the quantum optics system-reservoir approach and compare these two methods to describe the dynamics. We find that both approaches are equivalent for transmission lines with a low characteristic impedance, while they differ when this impedance is higher than the typical impedance of the superconducting artificial atom.
The study of light-matter interaction in superconducting quantum circuits has seen remarkable progress over the last 202020 years. By engineering artificial atoms, novel quantum phenomena have been demonstrated, and old ideas have come into a new light. Beyond their application to basic science, the prospect of implementing large-scale quantum information processing with superconducting circuits has fueled a rapid development of surrounding technologies, with ever-increasing control over their behavior as a result. The field's success stems primarily from the flexible design and strong non-linearity of the artificial atom, whose coherent interaction with both electrical and mechanical degrees of freedom has opened many doors for science. This thesis deals with the interaction between artificial atoms and quantum fields in one-dimensional waveguides. The waveguide represents a one-dimensional environment for the atom, which we use to study the properties of open quantum systems. All quantum systems are, in fact, open, and interactions between the system and its environment lead inevitably to a loss of energy and quantum coherence. A continuous loss of information into the environment is called a Markovian process. The work contained in this thesis indicates that deviations from a Markovian process can be detected in the steady state of driven systems. This could simplify the detection of non-Markovianity in open quantum systems, as no information about the system's transient dynamics would be necessary.Specifically, this thesis considers both electromagnetic fields in microwave transmission lines and acoustic fields in the form of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) traveling on the surface of solids. The recent realization of artificial atoms interacting with acoustic waves has opened up a new research field called quantum acoustics. We have built a model of the interaction between atoms and SAWs that predicts the existence of a new regime where the atom forms its own cavity. Additionally, we have considered synthesizing electromagnetically induced transparency, a quantum optics phenomena in opaque media where the absorption of photons is canceled, in waveguides using multiple closely spaced two-level systems. Some of the work in this thesis represents experimental work done in collaboration. In the first experiment, we studied the routing of acoustic waves at the quantum level. In the other experiment, we demonstrated electromagnetically induced transparency by creating an effective Lambda\\LambdaLambda system using a giant artificial atom. This thesis reviews the numerical techniques used to model these experiments.