Hannover 2013 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 32: Quantum information: Atoms and ions III

Q 32.1: Group Report

Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 14:00–14:30, A 310

Strong coupling between single atoms and non-transversal photons — •Jürgen Volz, Christian Junge, Danny O’Shea, and Arno Rauschenbeutel — Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology, TU Wien, Atominstitut, Stadionallee 2, A-1020 Wien, Austria

The interaction between single atoms and single photons lies at the heart of quantum optics and has been investigated in a number of groundbreaking experiments with high-finesse cavities confining the photons. In this context, whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microresonators have recently demonstrated their high potential as quantum technological devices because they achieve ultra high quality factors and, at the same time, enable in- and out-coupling of light with near-unit efficiency using tapered fiber couplers.

Remarkably, photons in such resonators are in general not transversally polarized and the electric field amplitude can have a strong component in the direction of propagation. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that the presence of this longitudinal field component significantly alters the physics of light–matter interaction. As a model system, we strongly couple single ⁸⁵Rb atoms to an ultra high-Q bottle-microresonator — a novel type of WGM microresonator. Our spectroscopic data agrees well with the predictions of a generalized theoretical model which includes a full vectorial description of the resonator modes. As an application, we describe our progress towards the realization of a four-port device capable of coherently routing photons between two optical fibers coupled to the resonator mode.