Nonlinear optics and the creation of quantum states of light

Richard E. Slusher, S. L. McCall, A. Mysyrowicz +2 more

Robert W. Boyd

This presentation first reviews the historical development of the field of nonlinear optics, starting from its inception in 1961. It then reviews some of its more recent developments, including especially how nonlinear optics has become a crucial tool for the developing field of quantum technologies. Fundamental quantum processes enabled by nonlinear optics, such as the creation of squeezed and entangled light states, are reviewed. We then illustrate these concepts by means of specific applications, such as the development of secure communication systems based on the quantum states of light.

高志 近藤

Pawel Anielski, Julia Sudyka, Wojciech Gawlik +1 more

We study the possibility of creating quantum superposition states in alkali atoms. Our methodology is based on the phenomenon of nonlinear magneto-optical rotation (NMOR). The effect of magneto-optical rotation occurs whenever the resonant light propagates through the medium immersed in a longitudinal magnetic field and manifests itself as a rotation of the polarization plane of light. The effect is strongly enhanced by the nonlinearity of light-atom interaction and allows state-of-the art atomic magnetometry. On the other hand, the nonlinear magneto-rotation provides means to controllably affect and detect atom's quantum state. We present the work on this topic and report on some characteristics of superposition quantum states such as lifetimes or efficiency of it's creation in various conditions.

Kazuhiko Misawa

Sutapa Ghosh, A. Gorlach, Chen Mechel +3 more

Strong optical nonlinearities are key to a range of optical technologies, in particular, to the generation of quantum light states. This paper proposes and demonstrates a novel nonlinear mechanism based on an N-level electro-magnetic induced transparency (EIT) in a warm rubidium vapor. Our scheme relies on using an optical frequency comb as a pump and a CW probe signal, which co-propagate and interact in warm rubidium vapor, as shown in Fig. 1(a). Multiple comb lines excite N-level EIT resonances as shown in Fig. 1(b), which modifies the optical response of the medium, creating a giant Kerr nonlinearity [1], which opens the way for different phenomena like slow light propagation or generation of quantum light states. Here, we experimentally create the giant Kerr nonlinearity, with the magnitude ranging from 1.2 x 10–7to 7.7 × 10–7m2V-2.