Berlin 2014 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 13: Quantum information: Atoms and ions II

Q 13.1: Group Report

Monday, March 17, 2014, 14:00–14:30, UDL HS3038

Nano-Photonic Quantum Interfaces for Cold Neutral Atoms — •Philipp Schneeweiss, Bernhard Albrecht, Christoph Clausen, Christian Junge, Rudolf Mitsch, Daniel Reitz, Clement Sayrin, Michael Scheucher, Jürgen Volz, and Arno Rauschenbeutel — Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology, TU Wien – Atominstitut, Vienna, Austria

I will describe recent experimental work on the quantum mechanical coupling of light and matter using the evanescent field surrounding specially designed optical fibers. In a first experiment, we trap and optically interface laser-cooled cesium atoms in a two-color evanescent field around a silica nanofiber. The atoms are localized in a one-dimensional optical lattice 200 nm above the nanofiber surface and can be efficiently interrogated with light which is sent through the nanofiber [1,2]. In a second experiment, single atoms are strongly coupled to a whispering-gallery-mode microresonator. There, the light exhibits a strong longitudinal polarization component which fundamentally alters the interaction with matter [3]. Taking advantage of this effect, we recently demonstrated highly efficient switching of signals between two optical fibers controlled by a single atom [4]. Finally, I will discuss possible applications of our nanofiber-based quantum interfaces as practical building blocks in an optical fiber quantum network.

[1] E. Vetsch et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 203603 (2010).

[2] D. Reitz et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 243603 (2013).

[3] C. Junge et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 213604 (2013).

[4] D. O’Shea et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 193601 (2013).