Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 35: Poster 2
Q 35.68: Poster
Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 16:30–19:00, Poster.I+II
Towards the realization of an optical quantum switch — •Jürgen Volz1, Danny O'Shea1, Christian Junge1, Konstantin Friebe1,2, and Arno Rauschenbeutel1 — 1Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology, TU Wien -- Atominstitut, Vienna, Austria — 2Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, AG QUANTUM, Mainz, Germany
We experimentally investigate the realization of a fiber-based optical quantum switch, a crucial element of future quantum communication applications. Whereas classical optical switches allow the rerouting of optical signals between different ports, a quantum switch can also be prepared in coherent superposition states.
In order to realize such a device, we strongly couple single rubidium atoms to a novel type of high-Q whispering-gallery-mode resonator -- a so-called bottle microresonator. In our experiment, this resonator is simultaneously interfaced by two independent coupling fibers, thereby realizing a true four-port device with extremely low coupling and transmission losses. We analyze the transit of single atoms through the microresonator mode in the four-port configuration. Measuring the correlation functions between the different output ports in the presence of an atom coupled to the resonator mode allows us to observe ``classical'' switching behavior and to gain insight in the atom--cavity interaction.
We gratefully acknowledge financial support by the DFG, the Volkswagen Foundation, and the ESF.